The coach can probably relax. With the sheer numbers, and the quality of wrestlers Millard has getting ready to compete in the tournament, it would take a large miracle for the Eagles to not defend their crown. South Summit, Juab and North Sevier should compete for second.

The other classifications also have some pretty heavy favorites. Viewmont has been the class of 5A for the last six years in winning four titles. The Vikings finished second last year. After winning the Region 1 title and qualifying the most wrestlers this season, they appear to be on their way back to the top.

"They remember what it was like to have those three state titles in a row and they want it back," said first-year head Vikings coach Brandon Ripplinger of his wrestlers after the region meet. "They work hard and they feel like they are doing everything they can to put themselves in a position to do it."

The other teams in 5A to watch for include the defending champs from Weber, Davis, Layton, Alta, West Jordan and the upstarts from Hunter.

Mountain Crest is gunning for a third consecutive title in 4A, and with competitors like Justin Kohler, Ethen and Raider Lofthouse and Jake and Jarret Morrill, not to mention the depth of the team with 20 wrestlers qualified, the Mustangs are the favorites to do so. Payson and Box Elder both qualified 17 wrestlers, and it will probably come down to one of those two teams battling with Mountain Crest and each other. Springville, Dixie, Roy and Olympus are in the next tier of teams.

The 3A classification once again will be won by Wasatch. The Wasps are simply the best team in the state. Uintah gave the Wasps a run for their money at the Region 10 tournament, but then again, the Utes won the region last season before not even coming close at state. Uintah and Delta with battle it out for second, with North Sanpete, Cedar and Hurricane battling for a podium finish. Perhaps the most intriguing story will come from this classification as Uintah's Candace Workman battles to become the state's first female champion.

The mystery surrounding 1A continues as Duchesne has had the top ranking for most of the season, but Altamont is the defending champion and has had some strong team showings at tournaments. It should come down to these two schools, with Wayne and Monticello coming next.

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E-mail: mblack@desnews.com