Wrestlers chase elusive team titles

Utah County has been a traditional hotbed for wrestling. Not just in the state but even on the national scale.

In the 1990s, Utah County schools won a combined 11 state titles in the 4A and 5A classifications, as Pleasant Grove brought home the gold seven times, Orem three times and Payson once.

But while the quality of individuals remains high in Utah County, the team championships have tapered off — Utah County's only team championship came with back-to-back state titles by Spanish Fork in 2002 and 2003.

In 5A, it's extremely unrealistic to expect a team trophy to come from Utah County, as Region 1 juggernauts Weber and Viewmont, along with Bingham, are the likely contenders. Pleasant Grove is rebuilding, Lone Peak lost one of its top wrestlers and its head coach to Wasatch, and up-and-coming Spanish Fork is probably a year away from seriously contending for a trophy.

However, in 4A, Springville and Payson have serious team-title aspirations. Region 5 powerhouses Mountain Crest and Box Elder will go into the season as the favorites, but the Red Devils and Lions will be nipping on their heels.

Region 7

Many believe Payson might knock off Springville in Region 7 and might be a state-trophy contender. Last year, the Lions finished sixth in state but were hampered by some late-season injuries and a wrestler not making weight at region.

The Lions return much of their lineup, including two-time state-placer Jace Harmon, as well as returning state-placers Colton Cannon, CJ Ford, Tito Ortiz, McCade Ford, Tag Miller, Hesston Parkin, Norm Adams and Jeremiah Guzman. The Lions are a deep squad, especially in the middle weights, where Cannon will compete with Harmon and McCade Ford for varsity time.

Another top wrestler for Payson will be Brock Brown at 119 pounds. The sophomore recently went undefeated at the Millard Iron Man Duals.

Payson coach Chris Loveless isn't ready to declare the Lions the team to beat but acknowledges his team is very good.

"We've got a solid lineup," he said. "But Springville is tough. We don't know Tooele and Mountain View too well, but they will have some good wrestlers."

The Red Devils, who won the region last year and placed third at state, will be led by national superstar Jason Chamberlain. Chamberlain is the Junior National Champion both in freestyle and folkstyle wrestling and recently won the Layton Invitational after defeating a top wrestler from Bishop Lynch, Texas, who made a special trip just to meet the Red Devil star.