SYRACUSE — Kaysville Junior High coach Mark Pozzuoli entered the 2008 wrestling season with mixed emotions. Having sent a number of strong wrestlers on to the high school level last year, Pozzuoli was concerned how this year’s team would respond. On the other hand, the head coach knew he had the guns at Kaysville Junior to make a serious run at the District title this season. When the dust cleared, Kaysville Junior High had not only finished the season undefeated, it also won the South End title and District championship, knocking off six-time defending champion and rival Centerville Junior High. “I was skeptical going into the season,” Pozzuoli said. “It wasn’t until we had our first practice that I saw the commitment level of the guys on this team that I had a feeling this team would do something special this year.”

Kaysville was led by its three District champions, Andrew Sillotti (115), Bridger Berthold (120), and Victor Cisneros (275).

“Those three guys really came through for us with their championships,” Pozzuoli said. “I was real happy for them.”

The depth of Kaysville showed with the fact that a total of 11 wrestlers placed in the top four of their weight classes. This helped the team pick scoring valuable points.

“The guys all did a great job,” Pozzuoli said. “Every point mattered and I think the guys understood that and did a great job of picking up points whenever they could.”

Pozzuoli was especially impressed with his team’s ability to remain focused as the success of the season continued.

“I was a little nervous because I’ve seen teams go into a tailspin at District after having a great year.

“I didn't want that to happen to us.”

The tailspin didn’t happen. Instead, Kaysville went through South End championships like a buzzsaw and kept the momentum going as it knocked off Centerville Junior High for the District title.

Centerville coach Shandell Smoot acknowledged the outstanding coaching and wrestling of the Kaysville athletes.

“I was real impressed with the guys from Kaysville,” Smoot said. “They had a great season and then at South End they looked strong.

“Kaysville did a super job at District and I think Mark (Pozzuoli) and Neal (Porter) did a great coaching job.”

Pozzuoli had high praise for his assistant, Porter.

“Neal has been a saving grace all season,” he said. “He helped me relax, he’s a great instructional coach for the kids and is an amazing motivator. I could not have made it without his work.

“I couldn’t be more proud of the boys for climbing the ladder and getting to that last rung.

“We’ve had great support from the school and the parents. It’s been a great year.”