Utah County, along with Wasatch, have produced plenty of top wrestling talent and teams over the decades. This year will be no different.

Traditional powerhouses Maple Mountain, Payson, Pleasant Grove and Wasatch will have strong teams again, but programs like Timpanogos and Westlake want to make an impact.

Timpanogos placed 8th in state last year and the Timberwolves want to make a move toward the top five.

“We have a great young team this year, with some very solid senior leadership,” said Timberwolf head coach Alex Nicholes. “The team is led by two-time state runner up Holland Knudsen and returning state placer Elijah Kratzer.”

Knudsen has showed his mettle already placing first at 170 pounds at the Skyhawk Showdown hosted by Salem Hills this weekend. Kratzer placed second in the same event which featured competition from 21 different schools. Besides Knudsen and Kratzer, expect Alex Eidem (195 pounds) and Knudsen’s younger brother Grant (126) to be key grapplers for Timpanogos.

Westlake has been another team that has turned heads early in the season.

Westlake went 2-0 at the Wrestling Against Cancer Duals hosted by Provo defeating Skyridge and Corner Canyon.

The Thunder tied for 11th place last year in 6A, but, like Timpanogos, want to move up the board and have the wrestlers to do it.

Jacob Finlinson (120) became the school’s first ever individual state champion as a freshman last year and is already undefeated in the young season.

Izaya Valdez (113) placed in state two years ago and was a top contender last season before being disqualified at state for a skin infection. Anthony Stockwell (220) joins Finlinson and Valdez as wrestlers that have made the podium for the Thunder, but the Westlake faithful also have to be excited about incoming freshman Tucker Butler (120), who at the Wrestling Against Cancer Duals, knocked off Skyridge’s Jayden Adamson, a returning 5A state finalist.

Westlake should be especially tough in the lower and middle weights with the likes of Butler, Finlinson and Valdez, along with Caden Dunn (113), Joey Dansie (126) and Calvin Bishop (132). Dunn, Dansie and Bishop all are state qualifiers last year. In the upper weights, Ethan Shunn (170), Yijath Torbay (182) and Zach Warren (220) are also returning state qualifiers. Mason Bodell (285) is another freshman to watch for the Thunder.

Westlake head coach Cody Burdett is pretty clear about Thunder expectations for the program this year and beyond.

“Our youth program, led by former Box Elder four-time state champion Jeff Newby, has started producing some incredible talent, and the high school is taking advantage,” related Burdett. “The last few years, Westlake has finished in the middle of the pack in 6A and is fed up with mediocrity.

“Westlake wrestlers have spent all summer and fall working on their strength and technique, and now it’s paying off. Our goal is to have double digit state placers. We are working on creating a tradition of relentless excellence and challenge for the 6A title every year,” added Burdett.

While Timpanogos and Westlake seem poised to make that jump to the next level, other programs like Provo also hope to move up the board, though its aspirations for a top five or top 10 season have to be tempered.

The Bulldogs return Jimmy Tomasi (285) who placed 5th in state last season, though Tomasi is working down to make the weight and hasn’t seen action yet this season. Kyler Zarate (126) is a former returning state qualifier and Josh Weeks (160) has had a strong season thus far.

“Provo High has a really young team, with a lot of first-year wrestlers,” said Provo head coach Mike Olsen. “We can expect to see some state qualifiers out of a lot of our guys.”

Team notes

ALA: Quenton Mortimer (138) is a returning state champion while sister Sage (106) placed third in 3A last year and became the first girl to become All-American in the boy’s division at the USA Nationals this past summer.

American Fork: Sophomores Nathan Barholomew and Hayden Wilson placed in state last year for the Cavemen as did senior Elijah Wilson.

Lehi: Daxton Monroe (138) is a returning state qualifier for the Pioneers.

Lone Peak: Max Anson (138) is a returning state qualifier for the Knights.

Maple Mountain: Zack Johnson (170) is a returning state finalist for the Golden Eagles who will also be bolstered by returning state placers Cooper Cox (120) and Carson Kay (285).

Mountain View: Quality big man David Herring (285), along with teammate Seth Burr (145), are returning state placers for the Bruins.

Orem: Cooper Legas (195) goes for his second individual title, while teammate Austin Winterton (182) establishes himself as a top contender in 4A.

Payson: The Lions as a team are serious contenders in 4A led by returning state champ Cole Jensen (113). Returning state placers, Wyatt Hone (138) and Tucker Naccarato (160), look for gold in 2018.

Pleasant Grove: The returning 6A champs have first cousins Zeke Kelley and Oakley Ridge as returning state finalists, as well as Cole Zorn. Maika Tauteoli, a returning state champ, looks to repeat as a senior.

Provo: Jimmy Tomasi (285) is a returning state placer for the Bulldogs.

Salem Hills: Ryan Larsen (152), Chyler Zeeman (160) and Merrell Morley (182) made the podium last year in 4A for the Skyhawks.

Skyridge: Jayden Adamson (120) is a returning state finalist while Hadley Cowan (138) has placed twice for the Falcon program. Trace Muse (182) is also a top contender.

Spanish Fork: Layne Shepherd (120), Holden King (182) and Sam Dawe (285) are returning state placers for the Dons.

Springville: Aaron Mele is a returning state qualifier for the Red Devils.

Timpanogos: Holland Knudsen (170) is a two-time 5A runner-up and Elijah Kratzer (182) is a returning state placer for the Timberwolves.

Timpview: The Thunderbirds lost returning state placer Kody Keith who transferred to Pleasant Grove, but returns state qualifier Cael Richardson (220) who looks to do well.

Wasatch: Zak Kohler (145) goes for a fourth state title while teammate Stockton O’brien seeks a third state title as a junior. Sammy Heywood (126) is also a returning state champion and also just a junior. Herriman transfer River Wardle (113) won a 6A title last year as a freshman.

Westlake: Sophomore Jacob Finlinson (120) became the school’s first state champion last year. Izaya Valdez (113), a state placer in 2016, hopes to contend for a title in 2018.

Preece Power Poll Team Rankings Top 20: 1. Layton 2. Millard 3. Uintah 4. Juab 5. Pleasant Grove 6. Wasatch 7. Delta 8. Mountain Crest 9. Payson 10. Viewmont 11. Altamont 12. Canyon View 13. North Sevier 14. Box Elder 15. Herriman 16. Maple Mountain 17. Syracuse 18. Olympus 19. Monticello 20. Westlake

6A Rankings (Top 10): 1. Layton 2. Pleasant Grove 3. Herriman 4. Syracuse 5. Westlake 6. Bingham 7. American Fork 8. Weber 9. Davis 10. Copper Hills

5A Rankings (Top 10): 1. Wasatch 2. Viewmont 3. Box Elder 4. Maple Mountain 5. Skyridge 6. Olympus 7. Farmington 8. Alta 9. Timpanogos 10. West

4A Rankings (Top 10): 1. Uintah 2. Mountain Crest 3. Payson 4. Canyon View 5. Salem Hills 6. Stansbury 7.Desert Hills 8. Spanish Fork 9. Orem 10. Ridgeline

3A Rankings (Top 5):1. Juab 2. Delta 3. Emery 4. Morgan 5. South Summit

2A Rankings (Top 5): 1. Millard 2. Altamont 3. North Sevier 4. North Summit 5. Beaver

1A Rankings (Top 5): 1. Monticello 2. Panguitch 3. Wayne 4. Milford 5. Rich