It’s not unusual to see the Viewmont boys wrestling team atop the region standings or even compete for the state championship. This season isn’t looking to be any different. 

The Vikings have looked strong this season, thanks to experience, talent and depth. Head coach Luke Gibbs has been impressed with his team’s performance so far and has high hopes as the boys battle for the top spot in Region 5. 

“Our main goals right now are to win a region title against Box Elder toward the end of January and then get as many guys to place at our divisional tournament as possible and make it to state,” Gibbs said. “We had five state placers last year and returned four this year. Our goal is to place more this year than last year.”

The Vikings have a dependable senior class filled with wrestlers that have competed at the top level before. Gibbs is also excited about the younger team members. Not only are these underclassmen already contributing to Viewmont’s success, but they are preparing now to be leaders next season and beyond. The Vikings have had some challenges this season but have worked hard to overcome them.

“Our team is looking really tough,” Gibbs said. “We have a mix of tough and experienced seniors with a great lineup of sophomores and freshmen coming in behind them. Our junior class is a bit small, but they’re right there with our other guys. We’ve had to battle through some injury and sickness, but I’m proud of the progress our team is making and how we’ve competed so far this season.”

Gibbs highlighted the team’s efforts at three tournaments in particular. Viewmont wrestled well at the Layton Invitational, Viewmont Invitational and the Richardson Memorial Tournament. The Vikings were fifth at the Layton Invitational, a large gathering of some of the top teams in the state. There, Viewmont took fifth overall, with two wrestlers reaching the final round and eight team members placing. The junior varsity team also had several placers and finalists. The Vikings were also third at the Viewmont Invitational and took first on the JV side. The JV team also placed second, just behind Box Elder, at the Richardson Memorial, while the varsity squad contended with a surge of illnesses. 

In wrestling, it’s crucial that competitors are in good shape and are both physically and mentally prepared for each match. Gibbs said his team has excelled in these categories. He also appreciates the team unity and culture that the wrestlers have helped to develop. 

“Right now, one of our core strengths is our conditioning,” he said. “At our last tournament, I didn't see a single match that we lost in the third period or overtime due to being out of shape. We can wrestle for six minutes and longer if we need to. I would say another big strength of ours is our team supports each other. We move mat to mat cheering our guys on and it makes a difference.”

Several wrestlers have stood out to Gibbs this season and are leading the team. 

 Senior captain Alex Lindquist, a 144-pound returning state finalist, is poised to return to the podium this season. He has been wrestling well lately. Fellow senior captain, Jake Redd is competing at a high level at the 157-pound division. Redd has been a good team leader and example. Another state finalist from last season, 138-pound competitor Spencer Rees, is working hard to once again compete for a state championship. Two other seniors – 215-pounders Mack Youngberg and Kaleb Djambov – placed at state a year ago. Fellow seniors Leo Wright and Bryson Wray, both at 126 pounds, along with 165-pounder Forrest Evans, are solid contributors. 

Gibbs has high praise for some of his underclassmen too. 

“Beyond [our seniors], we have some very tough younger guys, some who just happen to be behind some of our studs but would be varsity on most other teams,” he said. 

A quartet of wrestlers – freshman Ben Redd (144 pounds), junior Owen Burdett (144), sophomore Rider Eggett (150) and freshman Cash Hawkins (157) have won tournaments this season for the JV team. Freshman Chad Rees (120), junior Kole Ingram (138) and sophomore Owen Seeley (165) are also key wrestlers at Viewmont who should only get better. 

Gibbs wants to win as much as the next person, and he is dedicated to helping the Vikings do their best. But as head coach, he has his eyes first and foremost on more important objectives. 

“I measure success a bit differently than some,” he said. “We have a motto in our room to ‘first be a good person and then be a good wrestler.’ True success for our team comes as our wrestlers learn how to take the discipline, accountability and work ethic they learn in our room out into the real world. As far as competitive success, it’s really just each of my wrestlers reaching their potential. For some that’s state champ; for others that might be winning a match at divisionals.”

Viewmont is getting closer to state tournament time. This year’s 5A state tournament will take place at Utah Valley University, Feb. 11 and 12. Last season, the Vikings had a strong showing, posting 97 points and placing fifth. They were the second-best team from Region 5 at the tournament, behind Box Elder, which placed second behind the champion, Spanish Fork. 

In wrestling, Gibbs said it takes a lot of hard work, commitment and time to be successful. 

“It comes down to being willing to work harder and train more than the other athletes,” he said. “I would say that many of the high-level guys in the state wrestle more than eight months a year and are competing across the state and sometimes the country. If you're a three-month-a-year wrestler and you have to compete against the guys that train eight or more months a year, it’s going to be hard to beat them.”λ