Wasatch has another big wrestling day

Heber City is used to seeing it's wrestlers do great things.

The best wrestler in NCAA history, after all, hails from the Heber Valley — Olympic gold medalist Cael Sanderson, who earned a perfect 159-0 record and four national titles for Iowa State.

Dozens of other wrestlers, including Sanderson's three brothers, have made the Wasps proud as they've pursued success on college wrestling mats across the country.

Still, on an unseasonably warm spring afternoon last week, the Wasatch High wrestling community enjoyed a unique experience, even in a place where wrestling glory is plentiful.

Four Wasatch High wrestlers signed National Letters of Intent to wrestle for four different Division I programs.

"It's unusual," said Wasatch wrestling coach Steve Sanderson. "Generally we have one or two kids, but never that many in one group, and all to major universities."

Jake Salazar signed with Michigan, but he will serve an LDS mission before wrestling for the Wolverines. Salazar is a gifted athlete who won three state titles, has been an All-American multiple times and finished the season ranked No. 5 at 152 pounds in W.I.N. magazine. He was also the MVP of his football team.

"Jake is just a great kid," said Sanderson. "He's an extremely hard-working kid. If you put Jake's work capacity in a 200-pound kid, you'd have a Division I football player. But he's 150 pounds. He'll have an opportunity in wrestling."

Ethan Smith is also a three-time state champion for the Wasps at 160 pounds. He finished fourth at the Senior Nationals and also competed for the school in track and field's long jump. He was an all-state football player and, like Salazar, he will serve an LDS mission and then head to Purdue University to wrestle.

"He comes from a family of wrestlers," said Sanderson. "His grandfather built a dynasty at Delta High School ... He's a really hard-working, athletic kid."

Blake Mangum signed with Oklahoma University and is the only wrestler of the four who didn't grow up in the Heber Valley. He transferred to Wasatch High midway through high school. He is a four-time region champ and placed at the state tournament four times as well. He finished his high school career an impressive 182-26.

"He's a tremendous worker," said Sanderson. "He's fun to work with because he picks things up very quickly and wasn't afraid to try new things."