Feb. 3, 2005: The Salt Lake Tribune

Wrestling: 'Diggers Seeking More Notoriety
by Peter Richins

To say Jordan's wrestling teams feels slighted is a bit of an understatement.

The Beetdiggers have earned dual-meet victories against Riverton, West Jordan and Brighton, all ranked teams. And against Bingham, one of the best teams in the state, Jordan fell by three points. And yet Jordan still has not appeared in the top 10 rankings.

"The kids keep asking me about that," coach Chris Babinsky said. Not that he minds being left out.

"I kind of like being one of the more quiet of the group," Babinsky said.

His wrestlers seem to disagree. Senior Steven Freestone, a 152-pounder, who placed at state last year, and junior Jordan Lundstrom (215) are expecting to place at state.

Two of the Beetdiggers' biggest assets this year have been freshmen Ky Lucero (125) and John Gappmaier (103). The addition of the two lightweights has bolstered their chances at state, and Babinsky expects both to place at the Class 5-A tournament.

Babinsky understands how the Beetdiggers could be winning their dual meets but not seeing the results in the rankings. Not that he agrees with it.

"You could have a solid dual team, but not place at state," Babinsky said. "It usually doesn't work that way, but there is a possibility of that."

In the meantime, the Beetdiggers are wrestling with something to prove.

"They are just more in shock," Babinsky said. "We keep beating these teams, but we're not ranked yet."

Alta Hawks

The most recent 5-A rankings were kind to the Hawks.

While none of Alta's wrestlers was ranked No. 1 in their weight class, several were ranked No. 2. Jaren Day, a defending state champion who wrestled at Lehi last year, is second at 125, and Ryan Green is second at 130. Nate Martin, at 171, also is ranked second.

In the team rankings, the Hawks are behind Bingham in the 5-A and the Region 2 rankings. Overall, they are ranked fifth, and they are second in the league.

Juan Diego Soaring Eagle

The Soaring Eagle are not succeeding on the mats the way the Catholic school's football and basketball programs have taken off. The team counts 18 wrestlers on the team, four seniors and just one junior.

But with a new coach this year in Anthony Bardiero, things could start to turn around.

"We stress on being an aggressive wrestler," Bardiero said. "We encourage our kids to take risks out on the mat."

Bardiero said the philosophy is working out. At the beginning of the year, only three of his wrestlers could have qualified for state. Now, he expects six wrestlers will qualify.

To be sure, the brightest spot on the team is Ryan Reather, the defending state champion at 119, Reather wrestles at 130 this year. In addition, Bardiero expects junior Andrew Bechard (171) will place at state.