Wrestling USA Magazine, Utah Editor's Preseason Picks

Wrestlers to Watch for 2005–2006
 

Ky Lucero
Sophomore, Brighton High School, 130 lbs.

School Classification: 5A

I've watched and coached Ky since he first started wrestling in 2002.  He came out, no experience, but had a natural feel for the sport.  No doubt, it's genetic, being the son of a pretty amazing Utah wrestler.  Ky was as diligent a student as I've ever seen, drinking in technique, absorbing it like a sponge, and applying it immediately.  This yeoman-like attitude for learning led to state championships in Greco-Roman and freestyle as a first-year wrestler.  He followed that with a silver medal at Junior High State in 2003, then double championships in freestyle and Greco for the second year.  In 2004, he was crowned champion at Junior High State, and racked up his third straight season as a double medalist the USA Wrestling Utah State Championships.  His freshman season was exciting, with him scratching out a great record in a very tough weight class including the likes of Jaren Day of Alta, Richard Winger of Viemont, Aaron Ross of Weber and Brighton's KC Nate.  Ky lost a one-point decision opening round at state, then battled back to one round short of placing when he butted up against Northridge's Spencer Ito. 

High School Career Record: 28-10.

Following is a summary of Ky's wrestling career so far:

• 2005 Wrestling USA Magazine Utah Wrestler to Watch

• 2005 3rd Place, Region II

• 2005 Champion, Gladiator World Championships

• 2005 4th Place, Layton Invitational

• 2005 7th Place, Rocky Mountain Rumble

• 2004 Junior High School State Champion

• Four-Time USA Wrestling Utah Freestyle State Champion (2002–2005)

• Four-Time USA Wrestling Utah Greco-Roman State Champion (2002–2005)

• 2003 Junior High School State Silver Medalist

Wrestling USA Magazine Preseason Picks

• Nationally Ranked Utah Sophomore in National Sophomore/Freshman Rankings (130 lbs.): No. 23

UtahWrestling.org 2005 Freestyle/Greco-Roman Ranking

• 18th Cadet Division

UtahWrestling.org 2004 Freestyle/Greco-Roman Ranking

• 18th Schoolboy Division

Cole Shafer
Sophomore, Brighton High School, 152 lbs.
GPA: 3.9

School Classification: 5A

Cole is a very talented athlete.  Spending your freshman year at 145 lbs. is a tough way to go, and he more than held his own.  His finish at state was behind a quartet of talented upper classmen, and that after winning the Region II title.  He spends his summers on the freestyle and Greco-Roman circuit, seeking out the challenges, like competing at the USA Wrestling Rocky Mountain Junior Regionals (and placing 4th in Greco-Roman!) while still a Cadet.  He's a two-time runner-up at USA Wrestling Western Regional Championships this past summer, and took a couple tournament championships as a freshman, including the very tough Viewmont Invitational.  This kid is definitely a wrestler to watch.

High School Career Record: 36-8 with 16 Pins.

Following is a summary of Cole's wrestling career so far:

• 2005 5th Place, High School State Championships

• 2005 Champion, Region II

• 2005 4th Place, USA Wrestling Rocky Mountain Junior Regionals, Greco-Roman (Laramie, Wyo.)

• 2005 2nd Place, USA Wrestling Western Regional Championships, Greco-Roman

• 2005 2nd Place, USA Wrestling Western Regional Championships, freestyle

• 2005 State Champion, USA Wrestling Utah State Championships, Greco-Roman

• 2005 2nd Place, USA Wrestling Utah State Championships, freestyle

• 2005 Champion, Viewmont Invitational

• 2005 Champion, Brighton Turkey Tournament

• 2005 3rd Place, Layton Invitational

• 2004 Junior High School State Champion

• 2004 3rd Place, U.S. Folkstyle Nationals

Wrestling USA Magazine Preseason Picks

• Nationally Ranked Utah Sophomore in National Sophomore/Freshman Rankings (152 lbs.): No. 26

UtahWrestling.org 2005 Freestyle/Greco-Roman Ranking

• 8th Cadet Division

UtahWrestling.org 2004 Freestyle/Greco-Roman Ranking

• 7th Cadet Division

Matt McDonald
Sophomore, Pine View High School, 119 lbs.

School Classification: 3A (1,100 enrolled)

McDonald had a strong freshman year, finishing 4th in state behind some MAJOR talent (1st was Levi Mele, 2nd was Casey Smith, and 3rd was Kaden King).  The kid's got talent.  He tallied up a respectable freshman record of 28-11, took second at the Pine View Invitational, and 6th at the Rocky Mountain Rumble (again, behind some major talent).  This kid's got some great promise, making him definitely a wrestler to watch.

2005 4th in State (112 lbs.) (as a freshman)

High School Career Record: 28-11.

Following is a summary of Matt's wrestling career so far:

• 2005 4th Place, High School State Championships

• 2005 Champion, Region IX

• 2005 2nd Place, Pine View Invitational

• 2005 6th Place, Rocky Mountain Rumble

Wrestling USA Magazine Preseason Picks

• Nationally Ranked Utah Sophomore in National Sophomore/Freshman Rankings (119 lbs.): Special Mention

Riley Yeates
Junior, Box Elder High School, 160 lbs.
GPA: 3.89

School Classification: 4A (1,380 Enrolled)
 

2005 3rd in State (135 lbs.), 2004 3rd in State as a Freshman. 

High School Career Record: 91-13.

Following is a summary of Riley's wrestling career so far:

• 2005 3rd Place, High School State Championships

• 2004 3rd Place, High School State Championships

• Two-Time Region IV Champion

• 2005 Wrestling USA Magazine Utah Wrestler to Watch

• 2005 3rd Place, Tiger-Grizzly Invitational

• 2005 3rd Place, Layton Invitational

• 2004 Champion, Layton Invitational

• 2004 2nd Place, Viewmont Invitiational

• 2004 2nd Place, Richardson Memorial

• 2004 6th Place, Tiger-Grizzly Invitational

• 2003 USA Wrestling Western Regional Champion in freestyle

• 2003 3rd Place, USA Wrestling Western Regional Championships in Greco-Roman

• 2005 Outstanding Sophomore Wrestler, Box Elder High School

• 2004 Outstanding Freshman Wrestler, Box Elder High School

• Two-Time Junior High State Champion

Wrestling USA Magazine Preseason Picks

• Nationally Ranked Utah Junior in National Junior Rankings (160 lbs.): No. 28

UtahWrestling.org 2004 Freestyle/Greco-Roman Ranking

• 12th Cadet Division

Bo Beckman
Junior, Brighton High School, 112 lbs.

School Classification: 5A

I've watched Beckman grow and develop for years.  He has always been a tough competitor, skilled and simply without quit.  But this year is going to be a real breakout year for him, if last summer is any indication.  He went 7-0 in Greco-Roman at the USA Wrestling Cadet National Duals and followed it strong with 5-2 finish in freestyle, losing two decisions, one in a nail-biting 6-5 finish.  Last summer, he won the Rocky Mountain Regionals in Greco and finished second in freestyle.  Watch for Beckman to turn heads this year.

2005 5th in State (112 lbs.)

Following is a summary of Bo's wrestling career so far:

• 2005 5th Place, High School State Championships

• 2005 Champion, Region VII

• 2005 Region VII Outstanding Wrestler, Lower Weights

• 2005 2nd Place, USA Wrestling Cadet National Championships, Greco-Roman

• 2005 Champion, USA Wrestling Rocky Mountain Junior Regional Championships, Greco-Roman

• 2005 2nd Place, USA Wrestling Rocky Mountain Junior Regional Championships, freestyle

Wrestling USA Magazine Preseason Picks

• Nationally Ranked Utah Junior in National Junior Rankings (112 lbs.): No. 30

UtahWrestling.org 2005 Freestyle/Greco-Roman Ranking

• 14th Cadet Division

UtahWrestling.org 2004 Freestyle/Greco-Roman Ranking

• 7th Cadet Division

Mitch Moss
Junior, Bingham High School, 103 lbs.

School Classification: 5A (2,300 enrolled)

I've watched Moss grow and develop as an athlete for years now.  He's a real competitor, not shying away from taking on the likes of Jason Chamberlain or Mason Stott in freestyle, and only going down to those two at the USA Wrestling Utah State Championships.  He had a real growth year in high school, improving from a loss to Jonathan Gappmaier at the Layton Invitational to just edging him out for the 5A state title.  He had a little inconsistency to overcome, but that can be as simple a thing as winning that high-school state championship.  Moss is going to have a great season this year.

2005 State Champion (103 lbs.)

Following is a summary of Mitch's wrestling career so far:

• One-Time High School State Champion

• 2005 2nd Place, Viewmont Invitational

• 2005 4th Place, Layton Invitational

• 2005 4th Place, USA Wrestling Western Regional Championships, Greco-Roman

• 2005 5th Place, USA Wrestling Western Regional Championships, freestyle

• 2004 3rd Place, USA Wrestling Western Regional Championships, Greco-Roman

Wrestling USA Magazine Preseason Picks

• Nationally Ranked Utah Junior in National Junior Rankings (103 lbs.): No. 23

UtahWrestling.org 2004 Freestyle/Greco-Roman Ranking

• 3rd Cadet Division

Jesse Clark
Senior, Bingham High School, 125 lbs.
GPA: 3.0

School Classification: 5A (2,300 enrolled)

I've watched Jesse for the past couple years, including coaching him at the Reno World Championships last April.  The thing that is so impressive about him is his intelligence on the mat.  He has sharp technique, but he just doesn't make mistakes.  At Reno, he came without a coach and asked if I could help.  So, not knowing each other's styles, he adjusted extremely well to my instructions, and finished one round short of medaling, losing a one-point decision against a hometown who is now wrestling at UVSC.  Jesse is going to turn some heads this year.

2005 3rd in State (112 lbs.), 2004 5th in State (103 lbs.)

High School Career Record: 81-35 with 48 pins.  2004–2005 Season Record: 33-11.  Freestyle Record: 21-3.

Following is a summary of Jesse's wrestling career so far:

• 2005 3rd Place, High School State Championships

• 2004 5th Place, High School State Championships

• 2005 Champion, Region II

• 2004 2nd Place, Region II

• 2005 2nd Place, USA Wrestling Utah State Championships, freestyle

• 2005 2nd Place, USA Wrestling Utah State Championships, Greco-Roman

• 2005 2nd Place, Viewmont Invitational

• 2005 5th Place, Layton Invitational

• 2004 6th Place, Layton Invitational

Wrestling USA Magazine Preseason Picks

• Nationally Ranked Utah Senior in National Senior Rankings (125 lbs.): No. 30

Carson Brown
Senior, Wasatch High School, 171 lbs.

School Classification: 3A

Carson has not won a state title, but he has been in some major brawls with nationally ranked talent.  In 2005, he finished 2nd in state, losing one of three very close matchs to Phillip Keddy of Uintah … and Keddy was the only one to beat him all season long.  Brown beat the state champions in all other divisions in his weight, 1A through 5A, just couldn’t pull it out against Keddy.  Last year, he also beat Mountain Crest's Phillip Rutledge 10-4.  Carson is solid.  As a sophomore, he took 5th in state, and was runnerup as a freshman.  In 2004, he took 4th at USA Wrestling Western Regionals. Carson has got sheer toughness.  This kid just keeps coming at you, no matter what you might throw at him.

2005 2nd in State, 2004 5th in State, 2003 2nd in State (as a freshman). 

Following is a summary of Anthony's wrestling career so far:

• Two-Time High School State Silver Medalist

• 2004 4th Place, USA Wrestling Western Regional Championships

• 2004 5th Place, High School State Championships

• 2005 Champion, Tiger-Grizzly Invitational

• 2004 Champion, Layton Invitational

• Four-Time Junior High State Champion

Wrestling USA Magazine Preseason Picks

• Nationally Ranked Utah Senior in National Senior Rankings (171 lbs.): No. 10

Tag Elliott
Senior, Bear River High School, 140 lbs.
3A

Elliott is a quality athlete, coming from a strong wrestling family.  He finished 3rd in state as a sophomore in a very tough weight class, finishing behind Morgan's Josh Wilson and high-school phenom Cyler Sanderson.  As a junior, he was locked up with Cyler again, meeting in the finals of the Senior Nationals Champ.  Elliott is definitely a wrestler to watch.

2005 2nd in State (140 lbs.) 2004 3rd in State (135 lbs.)

Following is a summary of Tag's wrestling career so far:

• 2005 2nd Place, High School State Championships

• 2004 3rd Place, High School State Championships

• 2005 Wrestling USA Magazine Utah Wrestler to Watch

• 2005 2nd Place, Richardson Memorial

• 2005 2nd Place, Warrior Duals

• 2004 2nd Place, Richardson Memorial

Wrestling USA Magazine Preseason Picks

• Nationally Ranked Utah Senior in National Senior Rankings (152 lbs.): Special Mention

2004–2005 Mid-Season Wrestlers to Watch

2004–2005 Preseason Wrestlers to Watch