State's top grapplers chase championships this week

This is the week it is all determined. Speculation will end. There will be no more guessing. The High School State Wrestling Tournament takes place starting Wednesday at the McKay Events Center on the Utah Valley State College campus.

Without any judges or with officiating playing only a minor part, the state championships will be determined on the mats. No excuses. Just one on one competition to crown a winner.

But what about the team titles? Those too, boil down to the individuals living up to potential and fighting hard for every point. A loss? That can be only a starting point to work hard and continue to get the team points in the consolation rounds. If every wrestler on the team does his part, a title could be in the works.

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The feeling all season has been the powers are in Region 1, and the teams have done nothing but strengthen those thoughts from the beginning. The region has produced the past four champions, with Viewmont taking three of the last four.

"Viewmont is still looking tough," said Brighton coach Ted Sierer. "Until someone knocks them off, they are champions and the team to beat. You can't say enough about knowing what it takes to win it all."

The Vikings have both depth —14 wrestlers qualified for state— and some individuals that could win a title. David Wiser is ranked No. 1 and having a remarkable season. A state title at 152 pounds could cap his run. Spencer Smoot, Richard Wingar, Ryan Larsen, Sam Graham and Kris Mortensen are all ranked and looking to place at state.

"I think our overall depth is equal to or maybe even better than last year," said coach Bart Thompson.

Viewmont may be the defending champs, but Weber has had its, and nearly every other team's, number this year. The Warriors are the top-ranked team and with good reason. Besides defending state champions Shay Warren and Jorge Lopez, Weber boasts a bevy of grapplers that have a shot at an individual title. Chase Gardner, Aaron Ross, Lee Woolsley, Nate Hubbard, Kade Hall and Dustin Martin are all in the top three of their weight class. The Warriors won the Region 1 tournament and qualified 13 grapplers for this weeks competition. A team title is looking better and better.

The class of the Utah County region is Pleasant Grove. The other Vikings have a growing tradition and plenty of talent to contend. Starting with top-ranked Keola Goodman and Mitch Sanderson, Pleasant Grove has several contenders. Jacob Woodhouse, Grant Gagon, Gerhart Vuksinik, Jonny Warner are all ranked and hungry for a state placing.