Weber finally wins championship
The wait is over.
The Warriors won the 5A state wrestling championship Friday with 241.5 points. Viewmont was second with 150 points, followed by Bingham with 137 and Pleasant Grove with 124.
The finals turned into a family affair. A pair of brothers won state titles, and two father-son combinations joined the rare company of four-time state champions.
The Moss brothers of Bingham each took an individual crown. Kade, a freshman in the 103-pound classification, got things started as he beat Bracken Nipko of Weber.
"It is just amazing," Kade said. "Everything I have worked so hard for all year just paid off. Now I just have to go back to work and start looking toward next year."
Mitch is a senior and became a two-time champion after beating Blake Mangum of Lone Peak. He had an unusual method at getting the two titles. After winning two years ago, he finished a disappointing fourth-place last year before getting redemption. It is something he doesn't want to see happen to his younger sibling. "I got a little too cocky after winning as a sophomore, goofed around too much," Mitch said. "I don't think that will happen to Kade. He has always been more serious about the sport, more dedicated. I guess if it does start to happen, I'll come back and work him over."
Shay Warren became only the 15th wrestler in Utah to become a four-time champion. He beat Taira Abe of Viewmont and ran to celebrate with his father and Weber coach, Jody Warren.
"It was everything I expected it to be," Shay Warren said. "All my goals and dreams to this point were just realized. I've been working with him (Jody) ever since I was young, so to get this with him was something special."
Just minutes after Warren joined the ranks of the four-time champions, Davis' Sean Porter punched his ticket as the 16th wrestler in the exclusive club with a win over Alta's Luke Rasmussen another family connection, as Rasmussen is the cousin of the Moss brothers. Like Warren, Porter also got to celebrate with his father and coach, Alan.
"It means everything. I am the luckiest kid in the world to have so much support around me," Sean Porter said. "I told my dad when I was just teeny that I was going to be a four-time state champion, and it never would have happened if I didn't have the support of my family around me."
Paul Johnson of Lone Peak won his second consecutive state title and has a chance to become a three-time champion next year.
"When you have that title, people look at you a little differently," Johnson said. "I dreamed about it, but I never really thought I could get here. I guess I can start training right now for next year."
The night's biggest upsets were Cole Shafer of Brighton denying Mitch Sanderson from becoming a three-time state champion by getting a pin for the 171-pound championship, and David Williams of Copper Hills beating defending champ Mike Baker of Northridge. The other individuals to win a title were Keola Goodman (Pleasant Grove), Blake Griffiths (Bingham), K.C. Nate (Brighton), Lew Woolsey (Weber), Chris Moat (Layton), Adam Fager (Layton) and Jaden Briskey (Weber).
E-mail: mblack@desnews.com
Comments
- A look at the world in pictures 10:41 a.m.
- Arrests in near dragging of officer 10:35 a.m.
- Myths harmless, unnecessary 10:17 a.m.
- Reactions on Boozer speculation 10:15 a.m.
- Obama and pope hold first meeting 10:11 a.m.
- Stocks falter 10:10 a.m.
- Springville may allow chickens 10:08 a.m.
- Man admits slaying in cold-case 10:07 a.m.
- Armstrong drops to 3rd at Tour 10:04 a.m.
- White is underestimated in garden 10:03 a.m.
- Jazz talking Boozer trade?
- Stadium of Fire flag burning was fake
- Jazz in back of line for free agents
- Okur signs two-year extension
- A primer for the 6th Potter film
- Jazz won't meet Lopez on Europe trip
- Restaurant destroyed by fire
- Mall owner seeks to retain zoning
- Jazz rally for OT win at Orlando
- AK will not play for Russia this summer
- Bronco collecting a galaxy of recruits
140 - Letters: Palin mistreated
137 - Teachers struggle with district cuts
135 - Blazers may offer Millsap a contract
123 - Jazz talking Boozer trade?
110 - Fairness of BCS debated
81 - Moon landing: Let's hear from you
78 - Chaffetz eyes challenging Bennett
73 - Services bids farewell to Jackson
70 - Letters: Single-payer system best
69
Two California high school receivers have given the University of Utah
The recent Poly camp in Bountiful opened the eyes of recruiters to at...
Since 1998 the Honda Civic GX has been recognized EVERY YEAR as the cleanest...
So, even if the issue is not "settled", does it mean we should not be better...
Yeah? Look at all the GOP still defending their dead and irrelevant party to...
The offense that Boozer brings when he comes to play is great... but the fact...
Why can we have friendly games with European teams? Any game against a EPL,...
I completely agree with the letter writer, and would like to point out that...
The Jazz would be wise to be very careful on the financial side. This...
Hey Utah. You may hate Obama, but he is not the cause, and until you put up...
Phoebe: Good points. We probably all agree that the Stadium of Fire should...
lopez is the second best player to ever wear #24 right behind kobe bryant...



You can be the first to comment on this story.