Layton High Wrestling 2025 Season Recap: Grit, Growth, and a Bright Future Under Coach Adam Fager
The Layton High School Boys Wrestling team’s 2025 winter season was a journey marked by resilience, leadership, and remarkable achievements. Under the guidance of Head Coach Adam Fager, the program not only showcased competitive excellence but also demonstrated the power of community and character in overcoming adversity.
As part of our 2025 Winter Season Recap series, Coach Fager opened up about the highs and lows of the season, the team’s key contributors, and the exciting future that lies ahead for Layton Wrestling.
Leadership and Champions: The Cornerstones of Success
Coach Fager credits much of the team’s success to the strong leadership of four captains, who not only excelled individually but also set a positive tone for the entire squad. These leaders were Cole Fenwick (2nd in state), Porter Baclayon (6th in state), Noah Bull (2x state champion), and Elijah Hawes (1st in state).
“They went above and beyond the call to have a positive impact on our team,” Fager said, emphasizing their role in fostering a culture of dedication and perseverance.
In addition to these leaders, several wrestlers claimed individual state titles, making a huge impact during matches: Geronimo Rivera, Logan Crowther, and Lander Bosh each took home championships. Others who stepped up multiple times to secure key wins included Michael Kowalski (4th in state), George Mansfield (4th in state), Treyden Christensen (4th in state), Aiden Bastian (2nd in state), and Gavin Regis (3rd in state).
Season Highlights: National Recognition and Record-Breaking Performances
Reflecting on the season, Coach Fager described it as “really well” despite some challenges. The team reached a national ranking as high as 29th, eventually finishing the year ranked 38th—a remarkable achievement on a national scale for a high school wrestling program.
One standout highlight was the team’s performance at the Reno Tournament of Champions (TOC), where Layton placed third—the best showing in school history.
“We placed the most guys we ever have at the Doc B Invitational (3),” Fager noted, and overall the team boasted five individual state champions, seven finalists, and 15 state placers. These numbers reflect not only talent but also depth and competitive consistency throughout the roster.
Defining Moments: Unity in the Face of Adversity
The season was marked by a deeply emotional moment when Coach Fager’s father, who also served as the team’s sports psychologist, passed away on January 10th.
“That had a big impact on our team,” Fager shared. “After his passing, the team rallied together to support my family. They showed that wrestling is a community—more than just a sport, it’s family.”
Another defining moment was the historic third-place finish at the Reno TOC. The field was highly competitive, and the breakthrough placements by some wrestlers who had not placed before energized the team and helped build momentum for the remainder of the season.
Rising Stars: Growth and Development of Key Wrestlers
Several wrestlers demonstrated significant growth during the season. Notably, sophomore George Mansfield impressed many by earning a varsity spot and finishing fourth at the state tournament.
“He surprised a few people,” Fager said, “beating a kid who made the state finals and outperforming some tough seniors to earn his spot.”
Such developments bode well for the future, as young wrestlers gain confidence and step into larger roles.
Overcoming Challenges: Injuries, Setbacks, and Perseverance
The team faced tough physical and emotional challenges throughout the year, yet showed remarkable resilience.
Two wrestlers placed at state despite serious injuries. Tucker Sorensen started the season sidelined after undergoing extensive surgery to treat a staff infection in his knee. Despite missing the first two months, he came back to place 5th at state.
Similarly, heavyweight Ethan Sweet tore his MCL and meniscus in the state qualifying finals but persevered through pain, wearing a knee brace and placing 6th before having to default due to injury.
“These stories of perseverance really speak to the character of our team,” Fager noted.
Senior Class Leadership: Setting the Standard
The senior class played a pivotal role in setting the team’s tone both on and off the mat.
Captains Cole Fenwick and Porter Baclayon were instrumental in leading the team, helping develop younger wrestlers, and inspiring a love for the sport. Other seniors such as Geronimo Rivera, Logan Crowther, Aiden Bastian, Ethan Sweet, Tucker Sorensen, Martin Rodriguez, Jon Inagaki, and Dawson Pimentel contributed through their intensity, sportsmanship, and leadership.
“They all knew what I was looking for as a coach and set the example for others,” Fager emphasized.
Looking Forward: A Promising Future with a Strong Junior Class
Coach Fager expressed strong optimism for the next season, with a talented junior class poised to step into leadership roles.
This group includes state placers such as Michael Kowalski (4th), Lander Bosh (1st), Treyden Christensen (4th), Gavin Regis (3rd), Noah Bull (1st), Eli Hawes (1st), as well as state qualifiers Connor Kennedy and Landon McLean.
“We have a lot of committed guys who want to become their best selves,” Fager said. “We’ve said for a while that we haven’t even peaked yet.”
This hunger for improvement and dedication to excellence promises to keep Layton wrestling competitive at the highest levels.
Offseason Focus: Developing Future Talent and Climbing National Ranks
The program’s offseason goals center on developing the freshmen and sophomore classes and continuing to climb the national rankings.
“We want to keep pushing,” Fager said. “The focus is on skill development, strength, conditioning, and gaining valuable experience.”
This forward-looking approach aims to build a sustainable program that produces champions not only on the scoreboard but also in life.
Where to Follow Layton Wrestling
Fans interested in tracking the team’s progress can find most stats on https://www.trackwrestling.com, the go-to platform for wrestling results and rankings. Coach Fager also maintains detailed stats and is available to provide specific information upon request.
Final Thoughts: A Season Defined by Strength, Heart, and Community
The 2025 wrestling season for Layton High was more than a series of matches and tournaments—it was a testament to the team’s resilience, leadership, and unity in the face of adversity.
From the heartbreak of losing a beloved team mentor to the exhilaration of record-breaking performances and state titles, the Layton Warriors displayed the very best of what high school wrestling can be.
With a strong core of returning talent and a commitment to continual growth, Coach Fager and his team look poised to build on this year’s success and climb even higher in the seasons to come.
, Porter Baclayon (6th in state), Noah Bull (2x state champion), and Elijah Hawes (1st in state).
“They went above and beyond the call to have a positive impact on our team,” Fager said, emphasizing their role in fostering a culture of dedication and perseverance.
In addition to these leaders, several wrestlers claimed individual state titles, making a huge impact during matches: Geronimo Rivera, Logan Crowther, and Lander Bosh each took home championships. Others who stepped up multiple times to secure key wins included Michael Kowalski (4th in state), George Mansfield (4th in state), Treyden Christensen (4th in state), Aiden Bastian (2nd in state), and Gavin Regis (3rd in state).
Season Highlights: National Recognition and Record-Breaking Performances
Reflecting on the season, Coach Fager described it as “really well” despite some challenges. The team reached a national ranking as high as 29th, eventually finishing the year ranked 38th—a remarkable achievement on a national scale for a high school wrestling program.
One standout highlight was the team’s performance at the Reno Tournament of Champions (TOC), where Layton placed third—the best showing in school history.
“We placed the most guys we ever have at the Doc B Invitational (3),” Fager noted, and overall the team boasted five individual state champions, seven finalists, and 15 state placers. These numbers reflect not only talent but also depth and competitive consistency throughout the roster.
Defining Moments: Unity in the Face of Adversity
The season was marked by a deeply emotional moment when Coach Fager’s father, who also served as the team’s sports psychologist, passed away on January 10th.
“That had a big impact on our team,” Fager shared. “After his passing, the team rallied together to support my family. They showed that wrestling is a community—more than just a sport, it’s family.”
Another defining moment was the historic third-place finish at the Reno TOC. The field was highly competitive, and the breakthrough placements by some wrestlers who had not placed before energized the team and helped build momentum for the remainder of the season.
Rising Stars: Growth and Development of Key Wrestlers
Several wrestlers demonstrated significant growth during the season. Notably, sophomore George Mansfield impressed many by earning a varsity spot and finishing fourth at the state tournament.
“He surprised a few people,” Fager said, “beating a kid who made the state finals and outperforming some tough seniors to earn his spot.”
Such developments bode well for the future, as young wrestlers gain confidence and step into larger roles.
Overcoming Challenges: Injuries, Setbacks, and Perseverance
The team faced tough physical and emotional challenges throughout the year, yet showed remarkable resilience.
Two wrestlers placed at state despite serious injuries. Tucker Sorensen started the season sidelined after undergoing extensive surgery to treat a staff infection in his knee. Despite missing the first two months, he came back to place 5th at state.
Similarly, heavyweight Ethan Sweet tore his MCL and meniscus in the state qualifying finals but persevered through pain, wearing a knee brace and placing 6th before having to default due to injury.
“These stories of perseverance really speak to the character of our team,” Fager noted.
Senior Class Leadership: Setting the Standard
The senior class played a pivotal role in setting the team’s tone both on and off the mat.
Captains Cole Fenwick and Porter Baclayon were instrumental in leading the team, helping develop younger wrestlers, and inspiring a love for the sport. Other seniors such as Geronimo Rivera, Logan Crowther, Aiden Bastian, Ethan Sweet, Tucker Sorensen, Martin Rodriguez, Jon Inagaki, and Dawson Pimentel contributed through their intensity, sportsmanship, and leadership.
“They all knew what I was looking for as a coach and set the example for others,” Fager emphasized.
Looking Forward: A Promising Future with a Strong Junior Class
Coach Fager expressed strong optimism for the next season, with a talented junior class poised to step into leadership roles.
This group includes state placers such as Michael Kowalski (4th), Lander Bosh (1st), Treyden Christensen (4th), Gavin Regis (3rd), Noah Bull (1st), Eli Hawes (1st), as well as state qualifiers Connor Kennedy and Landon McLean.
“We have a lot of committed guys who want to become their best selves,” Fager said. “We’ve said for a while that we haven’t even peaked yet.”
This hunger for improvement and dedication to excellence promises to keep Layton wrestling competitive at the highest levels.
Offseason Focus: Developing Future Talent and Climbing National Ranks
The program’s offseason goals center on developing the freshmen and sophomore classes and continuing to climb the national rankings.
“We want to keep pushing,” Fager said. “The focus is on skill development, strength, conditioning, and gaining valuable experience.”
This forward-looking approach aims to build a sustainable program that produces champions not only on the scoreboard but also in life.
Where to Follow Layton Wrestling
Fans interested in tracking the team’s progress can find most stats on https://www.trackwrestling.com, the go-to platform for wrestling results and rankings. Coach Fager also maintains detailed stats and is available to provide specific information upon request.
Final Thoughts: A Season Defined by Strength, Heart, and Community
The 2025 wrestling season for Layton High was more than a series of matches and tournaments—it was a testament to the team’s resilience, leadership, and unity in the face of adversity.
From the heartbreak of losing a beloved team mentor to the exhilaration of record-breaking performances and state titles, the Layton Warriors displayed the very best of what high school wrestling can be.
With a strong core of returning talent and a commitment to continual growth, Coach Fager and his team look poised to build on this year’s success and climb even higher in the seasons to come.)
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