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.