December 2007:
West Jordan Journal
West Jordan Wrestling Team Aiming for Region Crown
by Josh McFadden
Region 3 could be wide open this season for wrestling and
the West Jordan Jaguars are hoping to be contenders for
the championship. The team placed third in region last
season and they expect to do no worse this season.
“We think we have a good chance at region,” said head
coach Larry Jaramillo. “It’s a toss-up between
Bingham, Hunter and West Jordan. It’s going to be a
battle.”
Jaramillo has experience on his side. The Jaguars
return four competitors who placed in the state tournament
last year in 125-pound wrestler Nicko Paraso, 130-pound
Collin Grant, 135-pound Chase Burns and heavyweight Justin
Blackmore. All of these wrestlers are seniors and
Jaramillo expects them to repeat their performances this
year.
To
bolster the team’s chances, Jaramillo believes he has four
more competitors that could place in state. Jacob Falk, a
103-pound freshman, placed second in his weight class in
the Layton tournament earlier this season. Jaramillo has
high hopes for him, along with sophomore Even Paraso (119
pounds), senior Jared Hall (150 pounds) and junior Tyler
Wallace (189 pounds).
Jaramillo is hoping a few more wrestlers will step up and
contribute to the team’s success.
“The other weights are promising,” he said. “It’s up to
their hard work. I definitely think we can be in the top
10 in state.”
West Jordan has 37 wrestlers on the team this season, up
from 25 a year ago. Jaramillo said he has worked to
improve the team’s depth, something that is essential when
it comes to competing in region and state tournaments. He
also said most teams typically lose wrestlers during the
season for a variety of reasons. He’s hoping this group
can stay together all year.
The Jaguars are confident as a team and work hard in
practice to prepare for meets. During practice, Jaramillo
runs 12-minute matches, twice as long as
the normal meet length. He does this to get his wrestlers
in shape and give them the physical and mental edge
they’ll need during the season.
“The kids know we have a good team,” he said. “It’s a
matter of how hard they work.”
Jaramillo, who’s in his 27th year as head coach, brought
on former West Jordan wrestler Gabe Vigil to assist him
this season. Vigil was a three-time state champion as a
Jaguar and went on to wrestle at Boise State University.
He also assisted at Utah Valley State College before
coming back to West Jordan.
“[Vigil] is a great technician,” Jaramillo said. “He runs
a hard practice. He brings new stuff in to help out.”
The Jaguars competed in the Clash of the Titans Tournament
at Olympus High School Dec. 7-8. The team also faced
Bingham at home Dec. 12 before taking a break for the
Christmas holiday. |