From Deseret News archives:
Wasatch captures tourney
"This is the toughest preseason tournament in the state," said Wasatch coach Steve Sanderson. "We like to come to see where we're at and the kids performed pretty well."
Judging from the closeness of the matches and the number of talented wrestlers who participated in the tournament, an exciting season of high school wrestling is about to get under way.
Thirteen of the 14 championship matches ended in a decision, with the only fall in the 285-pound class when Riggin Holmgren of Box Elder pinned Davis High's Tom Arnone.
Layton coach John Fager, who hosted the event, echoed Sanderson's comments. "It's been an amazing weekend," Fager said. "This truly is the toughest preseason tournament in the state. We bring in the toughest competitors in the state and everyone gets to see a lot of good wrestling."
The host Lancers exceeded expectations and placed five wrestlers.
"We have a pretty young group but they've been improving every day," Fager said. Fager's younger brother, Adam, wrestles for the Lancers and won his match 7-5 in overtime over Davis High's Austin Taylor.
"Austin is a great wrestler, they both fought hard but obviously I'm cheering for my brother," Fager said. "These two will see each other again and will hopefully see each other in the state championship match."
The Wasatch wrestlers, no strangers to championships, had a strong preseason showing, placing seven wrestlers and claiming three championships.
"We obviously need to make some adjustments but right now I think we're right about where we need to be," said Sanderson. He said he was pleased with the hard effort his team displayed and said that several wrestlers are off to a strong start.
Two wrestlers were honored at the conclusion of the tournament for their individual achievements. Springville's Jason Chamberlain was named the tournament's outstanding wrestler for the lower weight classes, while Brighton's Cole Shafter took the honor for the upper weight classes.
