January
2008: Draper Journal
Jordan Wrestlers Aiming For Region Title
by Josh McFadden
There isn’t much doubt about what the Jordan High School
wrestling team wants to accomplish this season. They’re
already saying they think they can capture the
league crown, even though they compete in a difficult
region.
“We should hopefully vie for the region championship,”
said head coach Chris Babinski. “We’ve got a good nucleus
of kids.”
Jordan has already proven it can go toe to toe with the
top teams in Region 2. The Beetdiggers defeated perennial
state power Brighton earlier this season and lost to
league contender Alta by just 10 points in the Layton
Tournament. Babinski is focused on winning every regular
season match and getting as many of his wrestlers to the
state tournament as possible.
“We have to take care of business,” he said. “We start
with basic goals: Win our dual meets, win region and try
to get each kid to place as high as he can at state.”
Babinski said he has at least seven pupils who he thinks
will be state qualifiers. Levi Ruttledge is currently the
top-ranked 160-pound wrestler in class 5A. Teammate Hayden
Moss, at 171 pounds, is a two-time state tournament
placer. Heavyweight Kyle Johnson was one match away from
placing at state a year ago, and Babinski is confident the
junior can improve this season. Other Beetdiggers to keep
on eye on include 119-pound competitor Vincent To, Cody
Wharton (125 pounds) and a pair of 152-pound wrestlers in
Brandon Paulson and Dylan Howell.
“We have a pretty good contingency of contenders,”
Babinski said. “The kids are pretty positive. They have a
good sense of when to work hard and when to have fun.
We have good leadership from our captains. The kids look
to them as examples.”
With all the potential his team has, Babinski is focused
on getting his wrestlers to put forth the necessary effort
that will allow them to be successful.
“I’ve expressed to the kids they need to work harder –
it’ll make a difference,” he said. “The top kids push
themselves and know what they need to do.”
One way Babinski motivates his team is by running with
them at practices. He tells the wrestlers not to let him
beat them. He said this pushes the team to do just a
little bit more each time it works out.
“You don’t want the coach to beat you,” he said. “But
sometimes I do.”
Jordan took on region foe Taylorsville Dec. 13 and then
headed to North Summit for a tournament Dec. 14-15. The
team will then took a break from matches during the
Christmas holiday. The Beetdiggers first matches in the
new year were against Juan Diego on Jan. 3, and the West
Jordan Tournament Jan. 4-5.
|