Wrestling is truly a family affair at Taylorsville High where four sets of brothers have helped the Warriors capture the Region 3 crown.
Steve and Kevin Wayman; Mike and Adam Butterfield; Brandon and Justin Ruiz; join Rob and Scott Wessman on the state-title contending squad."I've really enjoyed them. They are great kids," says first-year Taylorsville coach Mark Campbell. "It's good because they are very close-knit. Not just the brothers, but the families. There's a high level of competitiveness and a lot of positives. They look out for each other, they push each other and they help each other."
Each family sports a senior (Kevin, Mike, Brandon and Rob) who has qualified for state. In fact, three of their siblings are among the 15 other Warriors set to participate in the 5A state wrestling tournament, Feb. 16-18, at the Golden Spike Arena in Ogden.
"The younger brothers have benefited greatly from their older brothers," said Campbell.
Despite the list of positives, four sets of brothers does have atleast one drawbacks - especially for a coach.
"I have to concentrate a little more on who's attention I'm trying to get in practice."
ROUNDBALL RANKINGS: Mountain View (5A boys) and Lehi (3A boys) assume top spots in the latest Deseret News high school basketball rankings (see page D1). The Bruins slip in after Alta lost to Orem, while the Pioneers (who have lost eight games this year) replace fallen Pine View in a wild 3A classification.
For a sneak peak of the weekly hoop rankings, check out KSL-TV's SportBeat Saturday with Brad Steinke, following the 10 p.m. news on Channel 5.
IN AND OUT: Teams which entered and departed the DesNews prep basketball rankings this week.
BOYS - Layton (5th, 5A), Richfield (4th, 3A), South Sevier (5th, 2A), Rowland Hall-St. Mark's (5th, 1A) replace Davis (5A), Dixie (3A), Grand (2A) and Rich (1A).
GIRLS - Uintah (5th, 3A) replaces Hurricane (3A).
NEW ALIGNMENT: The Utah High School Activities Association's Board of Trustees recently approved a two division format for 3A football. Beginning next fall, gridiron teams will abandon the current three region set-up (which meant just four league games) for the following:
NORTH - Carbon, Emery, Lehi, North Sanpete, Park City, Uintah, Union and Wasatch.
SOUTH - Cedar City, Delta, Dixie, Hurricane, Pine View, Richfield and Snow Canyon.
RICE REPORT: Poor weather conditions led to a $70,000 drop in gate revenues for the state football playoffs. However, all other fall UHSAA events were close to budget according to a recent financial report. . . The University of Utah's decision to install a natural grass/synthetic blend at Rice Stadium means the end of extensive high school playoff action at the school - only the 5A and 4A finals will be accommodated. Alternative plans are being discussed.
ON HIS OWN: Bountiful's Mike Maxwell didn't seem to mind having his father, Larry, absent from the sidelines in the Braves' recent 68-51 triumph over Highland. The elder Maxwell, who coached Mike with the Rams, retired last year after capping a lengthy coaching career with the 5A state championship last March.
"It was much nicer for me, I'll tell you that right now," Mike mused after the Region 2 triumph. "He knew everything I was doing. It wasn't fair - that's all there is to it."
In their last head-to-head meeting, father knew best - knocking Mike's Braves off in the 5A semifinals.
SPLISH, SPLASH: Brighton will defend its 5A state boys and girls swim titles Feb. 17-18 at Brigham Young University. The Bengals have won 13 straight girls crowns and five consecutive boys titles.
ACADEMIC ALL-STATE: The following student-athletes were recently honored by the UHSAA:
1A GIRLS BASKETBALL (3.98 GPA) - Robin Heaton (Valley), Katy Peterson (Wayne), Amber Ann Miller (Panguitch), Jennifer Huntsman (Enterprise), Andrea Rowley (Green River), Holly Nelson (Enterprise), Charlotte Roberts (Monument Valley), Jessica Hagen (Dugway), Katina M. Bowerman (Green River), Kelly Kennedy (Rich). 1A WRESTLING (3.68 GPA) - Brian Christensen (Piute), Lenn Giles Florence (Milford), Eric Torgersen (Piute), J.D. Logston (East Carbon), Lance C. Goulding (Valley), Stoney Burningham (Panguitch), Donald Miles (Altamont), Curtis Skewes (Duchesne), Rhett Swasey (Altamont), Steven Lamb (Altamont). 2A WRESTLING (3.87 GPA) - Andrew H. Blonquist (North Summit), Lee Pace (Parowan), Bryant Johnson (Beaver), Bryce G. Blood (Gunnison), Jim Eves (Parowan), Chad R. Fuller (MIllard), Ray Holmquist (Parowan), Cameron Maxfield (South Summit), Jared K. Sorensen (Gunnison), Bart S. Miller (Juab). 3A WRESTLING (3.83 GPA) - Cody Sanderson (Wasatch), Rick C. Morris (Delta), D.J. Lewis (Uintah), Jonathan M. Baugh (Hurricane), Brady McClellan (Uintah), Richard C. Stephenson (Delta), Will Stewart (Lehi), Rusty Riddle (Richfield), Dustin Hawk (Delta), Cody Church (North Sanpete).