High school wrestling preview: Taking it to the mats

A year ago several wrestling powers were knocked from their thrones at the high school state tournaments. The combination of those dynasties trying to re-assert themselves along with the impact of realignment certainly makes for an exciting 2011-2012 season.

With things getting into full swing last weekend with big tournaments across the state, here's a class-by-class looking at the upcoming wrestling season:

CLASS 5A

Viewmont had won six of seven 5A championships heading into last season, but you never would've known based on how things unfolded. Injuries decimated the Vikings early as they stumbled to an 11th-place finish at state.

"Last year definitely was a little bit down for us. We return most of those wrestlers from last year's team. All these guys have had a couple years to figure things out and have a couple extra years of varsity experience," said Viewmont coach Brandon Ripplinger. "They didn't like the flavor of last year, that's for certain, and they're excited to be back in the mix."

Viewmont returns a handful of state placers, but it will be an uphill climb to catch defending state champion Pleasant Grove.

The Vikings return five state placers, and Ripplinger said they're the early team to beat in 5A this year. Pleasant Grove's lone returning state champion is Korbin Levin at 119 pounds.

Other returning state champs are Layton's Ken Astle (125 pounds), Brighton's Rami Haddadin (112) and Alta's Matt Findlay (103).

Kearns could be a factor in 5A this year with five returning state placers, while Alta and Syracuse also expect to be in the hunt.

CLASS 4A

Box Elder dominated the 4A state tournament last year ending five years of frustration — and four second-place finishes. It's back to work for the Bees who are the early front-runners in 4A.

Coach Mike Ripplinger's team returns eight returning state placers, including defending state champ Rasten Yeates at 135 pounds.

"Obviously we'd like to repeat. I don't know that there's pressure that we have to. We have a lot of kids back. We have a good nucleus to build from," said Ripplinger, whose team won the Layton Tournament this past weekend.

Other returning state champs in 4A are: Olympus' Brandon McBride (171), Maple Mountain's Grant LaMont (130), Maple Mountain's Britain Carter (112) and Maple Mountain's Brandon George (103).