The Utah Amateur Wrestling Foundation (UAWF), which created this event in 2001, has again added a wrinkle to the 2015 event, which will take place at Utah Valley’s UCCU Event Center on Tuesday, Jan. 6 at 7 p.m.

Last year, the UAWF expanded to field of wrestlers to 84 with an entire team of “wildcard” wrestlers to augment the teams coming from each of the five classifications.

This year, the field has expanded by two wrestlers to help create a matchup that everyone wants to see between two wrestlers from different weight classes.

Salem Hills’ Jacob Armstrong is a two-time state champion and normally wrestles at 182 pounds. But Armstrong will bump a few pounds to take on returning state champion Wyatt Koelling of Davis, who typically battles for the Dart program at 195 pounds. It has been mutually agreed that for this match both wrestlers will make a 190-pound weight limit.

Both wrestlers have impressive resumes. Armstrong has two previous state titles and has placed in the top three twice at the Reno Tournament of Champions (third this season, earning All-America honors). Koelling won his division in that tournament last week and is undefeated. Armstrong has been among the state’s elite for the past three seasons, Koelling is something of a newcomer to this inner circle of exceptional talent, bursting onto the scene last year as a sophomore with a state title at 182 pounds. He has moved up a weight class this year.

“This is a matchup the fans wanted to see,” said UAWF All-Star Dual Committee member Jeff Newby said. “I think fans should expect an action-packed match with lots of points being scored. Both wrestlers bring an exciting style of wrestling,”

Newby said they didn’t want to see a huge weight difference between the two grapplers so they asked Koelling what weight he could comfortably get to so this gap could be closed.

“They both really wanted to wrestle each other, so we found a middle ground on the weight class and made it happen,” Newby said.

With four-time 5A defending state champion Pleasant Grove, defending 3A champion Payson and last year’s 4A runner-up Maple Mountain all hailing from the Valley, it is no shock to see the county dominate the rosters of the three largest classifications.

The Vikings will have six grapplers on the 5A team but their most decorated wrestler, Kyson Levin (120 pounds), was defeated earlier this season by Weber’s Heston Woolsey, who will represent the 5A team. Levin’s resume was so impressive he was chosen for the wildcard team. Other Pleasant Grove participants include Nelson Jones (126), Ben Anderson (132), Landon Gates (145), Josh Anderson (160), Koy Wilkinson (170) and Brandon Closson (195). Last year Pleasant Grove wrestlers were key as the 5A team won the meet.

Payson’s representatives will be Josh Jensen (126), Jed Loveless (132), Riley Loveless (145), Paden Osbourne (160), and Brian Hoscheour (285). Jed Loveless will wrestle for the wildcard team.

Maple Mountain has five participants in 4A: Tanner Cox (120), Taylor LaMont (126), Ryan Hansen (138), Cameron Killian (145) and Johnny O’hearon (152).

Wasatch, also of Region 8, will have Braiden Parker (113), Spencer Heywood (160) and Payton Mair (170) on the mats. In addition, Spanish Fork's Heber Shepherd will be on the 4A team at 195, and teammate John Leilua is on the wildcard team at 285.

Lehi will bolster Utah Valley and Region 4 representation as Brackin Stringham (285) and Dalton Rice (145) will represent the 5A and wildcard teams, respectively.

Though the teams and matchups can be found on www.wrestleutah.com, the 2A coaches have voted to override any chosen participants based on the results of the 2A Duals, which will take place Jan. 2-3 at the Sevier Event Center in Richfield.