A Legacy of Champions
Since 1957, Wasatch Wrestling has built one of Utah's most storied programs — rooted in Heber Valley grit, family legacy, and a relentless pursuit of excellence on the mat.
Coaching Dynasties
Wasatch's championship tradition has been built by a small lineage of coaches who passed the torch across generations.
Marion & Richard Tree
1950s – 1970s · 2 titles
Father and son who planted the roots. Marion won the program's first state championship in 1957; Richard added another in 1973. The Tree family established Wasatch as a wrestling school.
John Mecham
1980s · 1 title
Kept the flame alive through the early 1980s, capturing the 1983 state championship and bridging the gap between the Tree era and the dynasty years ahead.
Steve Sanderson
1984 – 2008 · 8 titles
Built the modern dynasty and put Wasatch on the national map. Five consecutive titles from 1993–97 with teams ranked top-5 nationally. Father of Cael, Cody, Cole, and Cyler Sanderson — all multi-time state champions.
Wade Discher
2000 – 2023 · 9 titles + 2 dual titles
The winningest coach in program history. Led Wasatch through classification changes from 3A to 5A, winning titles at every level. Inducted into the Utah Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2025.
Ben Vombaur
2005 – 2006 · 2 titles
Kept the dynasty rolling with back-to-back championships during Discher's hiatus, extending the historic six-year consecutive title streak from 2003–2008.
Kamron Day
2024 – present · 1 title
A Discher protégé who ended a six-year title drought in 2026, leading Wasatch back to the top of 5A with a team-first approach and three individual champions.
Girls Wrestling: Instant Tradition
In just its second year of existence, Wasatch girls wrestling captured the 5A state championship — then did it again.
Coach Hailey Corona
The first coach in Utah history to win girls wrestling state titles at two different schools. A pioneering wrestler herself — one of only three females in Utah history to qualify for the boys state tournament — Corona built Wasatch girls from zero to champions in two seasons.
In 2025, she left the state championship meet to deliver her baby. Assistant coaches Gerrit Bradley and Sammy Heywood stepped up and coached all three Wasatch finalists to individual gold.
Notable Girls Wrestlers
- Marabelle Brown — 2x individual state champion (2025, 2026)
- Pallas Anderson — Program's first-ever individual state champion (2025)
- Adyson Knight — Individual state champion (2025, 235 lbs)
- Makenzi McCoy — Individual state champion (2026)
- Regan Heywood — Rockwell Rumble champion (2025)
The 2024 title was historic: Wasatch won without a single individual champion — only the third time in 86 years of Utah wrestling that a team won on pure depth alone.
The Sanderson Legacy
No family has shaped Wasatch Wrestling more than the Sandersons. Coach Steve Sanderson built the modern dynasty; his sons became one of the most decorated wrestling families in the nation.
Cael Sanderson
4x Utah state champion
4x NCAA champion (159-0)
2004 Olympic gold medalist
Penn State head coach
Cody Sanderson
4x Utah state champion
Iowa State wrestler
Penn State assistant coach
Cole Sanderson
3x Utah state champion
NCAA champion (Iowa State)
Olympic Trials qualifier
Cyler Sanderson
3x Utah state champion
NCAA All-American (Iowa State)
Olympic Trials qualifier
Boys Championship History
24 team state championships · 2 dual meet championships · Tied for 2nd all-time in Utah
| Year | Class | Head Coach | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 5A | Kamron Day | Ended 6-year drought; 200.5 pts |
| 2020 | 5A | Wade Discher | Back-to-back |
| 2019 | 5A | Wade Discher | 22nd title in program history |
| 2017 | 4A | Wade Discher | Also won dual meet title |
| 2016 | 4A | Wade Discher | Also won dual meet title |
| 2015 | 4A | Wade Discher | |
| 2008 | 3A | Steve Sanderson | 6th consecutive title |
| 2007 | 3A | Steve Sanderson | |
| 2006 | 3A | Ben Vombaur | |
| 2005 | 3A | Ben Vombaur | |
| 2004 | 3A | Wade Discher | |
| 2003 | 3A | Wade Discher | Start of 6-year streak |
| 2001 | 3A | Wade Discher | |
| 2000 | 3A | Wade Discher | |
| 1997 | 3A | Steve Sanderson | 5th consecutive title |
| 1996 | 3A | Steve Sanderson | |
| 1995 | 3A | Steve Sanderson | Nationally ranked top 5 |
| 1994 | 3A | Steve Sanderson | |
| 1993 | 3A | Steve Sanderson | Start of 5-year streak |
| 1984 | 3A | Steve Sanderson | Sanderson's first title |
| 1983 | 2A | John Mecham | |
| 1973 | 2A | Richard Tree | |
| 1960 | B | — | |
| 1957 | B | Marion Tree | Program's first title |
Individual State Champions
Wasatch wrestlers who climbed to the top of the podium
Four-Time Champions
Stockton O'Brien
2017–2020 · 126, 132, 138, 145
Dave Schultz Award · Wyoming
Zak Kohler
2016–2019 · 120, 132, 138, 145
Air Force Academy
Cael Sanderson
1994–1997 · 119, 135, 145, 171
Record: 127-3 · Dave Schultz Award
Cody Sanderson
1992–1995 · 103, 103, 112, 125
Record: 118-5 · 2x State MVP
Three-Time Champions
Sammy Heywood
2018–2020 · 126, 132, 138
River Wardle
2018–2020 · 106, 126, 132
Trevor Sweat
2007–2009 · 103, 119, 125
Jake Salazar
2006–2008 · 140, 145, 152
Dallin Norton
3x champion
Cyler Sanderson
2002–2005 · 112, 135, 140
Dave Schultz Award · NCAA All-American
Mitch Morgan
3x champion
Steve Cordova
1997–1999 · 112, 125, 125
Dave Schultz Award
Cole Sanderson
1994–1996 · 119, 135, 140
NCAA champion (Iowa State)
Kam Kohler
3x champion
Chauncey Ripple
1984–1986 · 98, 105, 112
Two-Time Champions
| Wrestler | Years | Weights | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marabelle Brown Girls | 2025–2026 | 120, 130 | Most decorated girls wrestler in program history |
| Benjamin Kohler | 2025–2026 | 132, 138 | |
| Wyatt Hanssen | 2025–2026 | 175, 215 | 2025 NHSCA National Champion |
| Max Richins | 2024–2025 | 132, 144 | |
| Daxton Bonner | 2024–2025 | 138, 138 | |
| Henry Hanssen | 2023–2024 | 150, 157 | |
| Ryder Robinson | 2022–2023 | 132, 138 | |
| Mitchel Slack | 2018–2019 | 113, 120 | |
| DJ Cohen | 2017–2018 | 220, 195 | |
| Corbin Smith | 2016–2017 | 132, 145 | |
| Jakob Discher | 2016–2017 | 152, 160 | |
| Ritchie Heywood | 2016–2017 | 170, 182 | |
| Braiden Parker | 2014–2015 | 106, 113 | |
| Ethan Smith | 2007–2008 | 160, 160 | |
| Shayne Bonner | 2006–2007 | 130, 135 | |
| Casey Smith | 2006–2007 | 125, 130 | |
| Rich Cordova | 1999–2000 | 130, 130 | |
| Brett Gappmayer | 1993–1994 | 119, 135 | |
| Paul Sweat | 1984–1985 | 138, 155 | |
| Scott Bonner | 1983–1984 | 98, 112 |
Single-Title Champions
Records prior to 2001 are incomplete. If you know of a missing champion, contact us.
| Year | Wrestler | Wt | Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Jonah Ware | 165 | 5A |
| 2026 | Makenzi McCoy Girls | 120 | 5A |
| 2025 | William Shallenberger | 113 | 5A |
| 2025 | Pallas Anderson Girls | 115 | 5A |
| 2025 | Adyson Knight Girls | 235 | 5A |
| 2024 | Max Richins | 132 | 5A |
| 2024 | Daxton Bonner | 138 | 5A |
| 2024 | Henry Hanssen | 157 | 5A |
| 2023 | Austin Kelly | 132 | 5A |
| 2023 | Ryder Robinson | 138 | 5A |
| 2023 | Henry Hanssen | 150 | 5A |
| 2022 | Heath Clyde | 126 | 5A |
| 2022 | Ryder Robinson | 132 | 5A |
| 2019 | Porter Chamberlain | 170 | 5A |
| 2018 | DJ Cohen | 195 | 5A |
| 2017 | DJ Cohen | 220 | 4A |
| 2016 | Trevor Cluff | 113 | 4A |
| 2016 | Ben Bos | 285 | 4A |
| 2015 | Spencer Heywood | 160 | 4A |
| 2015 | Payton Mair | 170 | 4A |
| 2014 | Braiden Parker | 106 | 4A |
| 2011 | Gerritt Bradley | 112 | 3A |
| 2011 | Morgan Sweat | 125 | 3A |
| 2011 | Tanner Sweat | 140 | 3A |
| 2011 | Tyson Kohler | 285 | 3A |
| 2010 | Kaleb Moritz | 189 | 3A |
| 2008 | Blake Mangum | 125 | 3A |
| 2008 | Cole Shafer | 171 | 3A |
| 2008 | Garrett Gleave | 189 | 3A |
| 2008 | Sean Sullivan | 285 | 3A |
| 2007 | Colton Bangerter | 112 | 3A |
| 2007 | Brenton Scobee | 119 | 3A |
| 2006 | Tyrel Sweat | 152 | 3A |
| 2006 | Carson Brown | 171 | 3A |
| 2005 | Jordan Smith | 160 | 3A |
| 2001 | Luke Francis | 135 | 3A |
| 2001 | Judd Sweat | 152 | 3A |
| 2001 | Will Webster | 215 | 3A |
Wrestling Families: Sanderson (14 titles) · Sweat (7) · Kohler (7) · Heywood (5) · Bonner (5) · Smith (5) · Cordova (5) · Hanssen (4) · Discher (2) · Richins (2)
Heber Valley Wrestling Culture
Built by Families
Wrestling at Wasatch isn't just a sport — it's a family tradition passed down through generations. The Sandersons, Kohlers, Hanssens, Cordovas, Bonners, Sweats, and Chamberlains are just a few of the families whose names appear across decades of championship rosters.
Little Wasps to Varsity
The pipeline starts young. Little Wasps introduces kids to the mat as early as age five, feeding into the elementary, middle school, and high school programs. Many of Wasatch's state champions started their careers as Little Wasps.
Blue-Collar Roots
Heber Valley's farming and ranching heritage built a community that values hard work, discipline, and toughness — the same qualities that define wrestling. The town rallies behind its wrestlers like few communities in the state.
"The community support for wrestling… it's just unreal. I love it here."
"I want the kids to enjoy this… to overcome their fears and have those aspirations of being a state champ."
2026: The Next Chapter
Under first-time head coach Kamron Day, the Wasps ended a six-year title drought and reclaimed the 5A championship with a total-team effort.
Individual Champions: Benjamin Kohler (138) · Jonah Ware (165) · Wyatt Hanssen (215)
Runners-Up: William Shallenberger (132) · Daxton Bonner (144)