4A might be the most entertaining classification to watch.  Just sit back and enjoy some of the best wrestlers in the state, crazy fans and one of the most competitive team races in the UHSAA.  There are so many storylines to watch, and the good news is, I don’t think the team title will be decided until late on Saturday, and it could be a surprise who comes out on top. 

106: Brady Merkley (Uintah)  Trenton Ward (Bear River), Austyn Ennis (Cedar)

113: Cole Jensen (Payson), Cole Huber (Uintah), Joseph Mecham (Tooele)

120: Scott Robertson (Bear River), Dylian Moore (Stansbury), Jared Armstrong (Hurricane), Mathew Sedillo (Juan Diego)

126:  Cub Deets (Uintah)  Gabe Sanders (Mountain Crest) , Mason Morris (Green Canyon)  Wyatt Hone (Payson)

132:  Colter Ricks (Ridgeline),  Gavin Ayotte (Uintah) Caleb Armstrong (Hurricane)

138:  Chance Parker (Ridgeline) Ryker  Boyce (Desert Hills) , Gus Harrison (Uintah) Dylan Dick (Uintah), Josh Armstrong (Huriicane)

145:  Jace Dart (Mountain Crest) Bridger Bennion (Uintah) Seth Burr (Mountain View) Brock Loveless (Payson)

152:  Brady Lowry (Canyon View), Matt Brooks (Dixie) Tyler Knapp (Payson) Jonathan Hyatt (Mountain View)

160:  Chyler Zeeman (Salem Hills)  Tucker Naccarato (payson), Ryan Ball (Canyon View) Colton Shumway (Canyon View), Maverik Skinner( Bear River)

170:  Tyson Carter (Payson)  Braydon Cavalieri (Canyon View), Antony Torres (Sky View) Heston Wood (Salem Hills)

182:  Merrell Morley (Salem Hills)  Harrison Judd (Payson)  Cade Hatch (Uintah)

195:  Cooper Legas (Orem) Elijah Stafford (Mountain View), Kaden Shin (Stansbury),  Ben Boyack (Spanish Fork)

220:  Nathan Ellis (Cedar City), Aaron Carly (Bonneville),  McCoy Cook(Payson) Hunter Larsen (Skyview) Gabe Blad (Canyon View)

285:  Sam Dawe (Spanish Fork), Enoka Fuailetolo (Desert Hills) David Herring (Mountain View) Kioni Alvarez (Cedar City) 

Payson and Uintah are neck and neck.  Both qualify 22 wrestlers, both come off a successful weekend at Divisionals.  Uintah is favored at 3 weights and should put a few more kids in the finals.  Payson is only the favorite at 2 weights, but they could put as many as 5 others in the finals if they are peaking well.  Will Coach Jeb Clark get enough of his Lions to perform or will the Utes be too much?

Last year, Cooper Legas was a 3 sport State Champion.  This year he has won 1 so far and is heavily favored to win Saturday and is almost guaranteed to throw a spear farther than anyone else in Utah this year.  I understand that there are a lot of people standing in line to criticize Cooper, but think about what he is accomplishing. No one else in Utah is doing this, not even close.  You’ll get to see him play football for the Aggies, and maybe on Sunday over the next few years. 

The Dawe boys have won a handful of State Titles at Heavyweight for PG.  Those are Sam’s cousins.  The Spanish Fork Don has a chance this year to join in the family tradition. 

Watch Brady Lowry wrestle.   He is raw athleticism and explosive power mixed with a bag of tricks that wouldn’t fit in Santa’s sleigh.  The Canyon View Falcon is truly a gift to watch.  Take a moment to appreciate his style. 

Bear River, Mountain Crest, and Canyon View all have teams that can score a bunch of points.  Payson and Uintah are favored to take home a trophy but don’t count out these other 3 teams.  Each is favored to win at least one weight, but they have the potential to pull off upsets at other weights and should put a bunch of guys on the podium.  This might be closer than projected.  

This is by far the toughest classification to call team wise.  The parity in 4A over the last couple of years has been exciting.  When the dust settles, my call is that the Payson walks away with the 4A State Title.  It’ll be close, but if I had to bet, I’d take the Lions.