Wasatch king of mats again

There are not many sports where the best team in the state does not come from the larger classifications, but that is exactly how it is in wrestling. Wasatch, with an enrollment that puts it in the 3A ranks, is once again the top team when it steps on the mats.

How does a smaller school continually dominate?

"The thing that makes us a good program is that it is a complete community effort," said Wasps coach Steve Sanderson. "We have a recreation program that has about 300 kids in it from kindergarten through fifth grade, and then another 90 or so kids in the junior high ranks. With that kind of involvement by everybody, by the time they get to the high school, we usually have about 35 wrestlers that have been wrestling for a long time and are ready to go out and keep up the strong tradition."

This year is no exception. Wasatch has one of the top wrestlers not only in the state but in the nation as well. Jake Salazar is a two-time state champion and ranked as high as No. 4 in the country by some publications.

"Jake is doing a nice job for us," said Sanderson. "He sets the pace in the room (practice facility), and the others have got to step up to keep up with him. It is also nice to see him sign with a national power like Michigan. The kids see that there are possibilities out there for them to get a scholarship."

Besides Salazar, the Wasps are loaded at several other weight classes as well.

Ethan Smith was a state champ in 2007 and has continued to look good so far on the season. Trevor Sweat took first at 103 pounds last year but is still adjusting to the jump to the 119-pound weight class.

"That is always a huge jump up," said Sanderson. "Trevor is working hard, though, and I am sure that by the end of the year he will be ready."

The Wasps also got some help for the team by a couple of new move-ins. Cole Shafer was a state champion last year while wrestling for Brighton, and Blake Mangum finished as a runner-up competing for Lone Peak.

While many say it is unfair that a team already rich with talent is aided by new additions, any claims of foul play are simply untrue, Sanderson says.

"All I know is that the parents moved to the valley and the kids had to apply through the UHSAA to make sure it was fine to wrestle here," said Sanderson. "Besides, if I could talk people into buying property here in Heber City at the prices it cost now, I am in the wrong business. We are happy to have them, but we just continue to work hard and prepare the kids the best that I know how."