As a two-time IHSA state wrestling qualifier, the goal as a senior is to live up to the tradition established in the past..
That is how St. Joseph-Ogden Senior Jake Wendling felt coming into his final year of high school.
But just two weeks into the regular season, with a record of 9-0, Wendling suffered a dislocated knee cap during practice.
A week later, he felt like he could again participate in the sport he loves. But when Wendling took the mat at a Unity match on Dec. 14, he dislocated his knee cap again.
“The doctor told me that I may not be back to wrestling by regionals,” Wendling said. “That was kind of scary because it’s my senior year. I obviously wanted to make it to state again, so that was a hard hit.”
But there was more ways than one that Wendling could participate with his team.
Although the 120-pound senior was uncertain about his return, he listened to his support team.
“My parents and coach are very supportive. They are the ones who kept my head in the right place by keeping me positive,” he said.
In between trips to Indianapolis for therapy, Wendling spent time making sure he was getting his cardio workout in and maintaining his weight.
“It’s not easy for me to want to run and keep my weight on track when I’m not wrestling at the time,” he said. “They helped me stay focused so when I came back, I’d be ready.”
He also knew that he could help the younger wrestlers learn while he was sidelined.
Wendling came to matches to mentor his teammates when he was available.
“I would be at their meets and watching what they were doing so I could help them see what they could improve on and what they did well,” he said.
After nearly two months of watching, Wendling was able to showcase his talent.
With nerves, Wendling got on the mat for his final IHSA Regional appearance. He left as the Spartans’ lone Regional titlist.
He then continued on, placing fourth at the Carterville 1A Sectional, to advance to the state meet, which will be held at the University of Illinois beginning Thursday.
Having qualified as a sophomore and junior, Wendling believes his experience will give him an upper hand despite missing much of the regular season.
“I think that I’ll be a little bit more comfortable there even though I haven’t wrestled as much this year.
“The fact is there’s a lot of pressure with all those people watching you,” he said. “I think that being there before will make me more comfortable with that.”
But nerves are something Wendling has a hold of. Knowing that his senior season is almost over, he has his eyes set on one goal.
“I want to get on the podium this year,” he said. “Last year I lost in the blood round. I did not get to place last year because I lost to a kid I’d beaten earlier in the year. Placing is definitely my top goal.”
