5A wrestlers focus on finals

OREM — To win a state championship, it's necessary for a wrestler to be totally focused, absolutely committed and think of nothing else but winning the next match.

Or is it?

Certainly the wrestlers that advanced to today's 5A finals (7 p.m., McKay Events Center) took care of their business, but it seems that there were times when their focus was elsewhere.

"I was a lot happier for Kade than I was for myself," said Mitch Moss of Bingham, a senior who advanced to the finals in the 130-pound weight class just 20 minutes after his freshman brother Kade advanced in the 103-pound class. "I like seeing him win even more than I like winning myself."

Three-time state champion Sean Porter of Davis advanced to his fourth consecutive finals with his third-straight pin, but he said he would gladly give it all up for his teammate Austin Taylor — who lost a heartbreaker in the quarterfinals after making a mistake and getting pinned after establishing a big lead.

"I grew up next to him (Taylor) and we have done everything together," said Porter. "I would give up all my state titles and my chance tomorrow if he could just get his shot back."

Such dedication to teammates and friends was all over in the semifinals. Bingham advanced all four of its wrestlers to the finals. Rycker Vandertoolen and Blake Griffiths will join the Moss brothers in today's championships.

"I watched Kade and it got me all pumped up," said Vandertoolen. "It helps seeing your teammates do well. It kind of gives you the confidence that you can do it too."

Josh Baker of Davis has been Porter's training partner since seventh grade. He has placed in the top six in each of his previous three seasons, but this will be his first time in the finals.

"It's great that I can finally be there with him (Porter)," said Baker. "Hopefully, we can both go out on top, end our high school careers both with championships."

While Taira Abe (Viewmont), Luke Rasmussen (Alta), Mike Baker (Northridge) and David Williams (Copper Hills) will enter the finals as the lone representatives from their respective teams, the majority of competitors have teammates.