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.