Joe Drennan
Sports EditorWhile most of his teammates were enjoying whatís left of their summer vacation, Forest Lake High School wrestling team captain Jordan Kolbow was working towards a top three finish at the USA Wrestling 2004 Cadet and Junior Nationals in Fargo, ND.
Kolbow qualified for the national tournament based on his performance during the high school wrestling season, then he was invited to a summer camp to train for the tournament.
ìIt was really tough, there was a lot of high school state champions there,î Kolbow said of the tournament. ìIt was the toughest competition that I ever had.î
In the first round of the 135 lbs. freestyle competition, Kolbow wrestled Matt Waters of California. Kolbow had no trouble defeating him 10-0 to advance to the second round. In the second round, Kolbow won again by a score of 10-0 when he defeated Josh Bean of New York.
It wasnít until the third round that Kolbow surrendered a point to Tim Poyzer of Iowa. Kolbow won the match 7-2 though. In the fourth round Kolbow squared off against the 145 lbs. Greco wrestling national champion, Luke Redertus of Maryland. Redertus was unable to defeat Kolbow, as Kolbow won the match 10-4. Moving on to the fifth round, Kolbow defeated Blake Birmingham of Michigan 6-3.
Moving closer to the final round and his goal to finish in the top three, Kolbow defeated Pat Armstrong of Colorado 10-0 then moved on to defeat Brad Creudden of Connecticut 6-4. In the eighth round, Kolbow battled Jason Welch of California. Kolbow was the victor with a 10-6 victory to move onto the ninth round and guarantee at least a top four finish.
Kolbow set out for a top three finish though, not top four so he defeated Derrick Peperas of New Mexico 7-2 to move onto the championship match.
In the tenth and final match of the tournament, Kolbow took on Eric Medina of New jersey. Medina proved to be a little stronger than Kolbow and beat him 6-0. Despite the loss, Kolbow finished second in the nation and an All-American.
ìI had a goal to be an All-American and finish in the top three but my coach said I could be a national champion so I knew I should have done as good as I did,î Kolbow said.
Kolbow doesnít want this to be a one-time thing though, he wants to return to the national tournament next year, but this time with some of his Forest Lake teammates.
Kolbow also took away some knowledge of the sport that can only be learned at a tournament like this.
ìI feel like I know about wrestling more and how to get ready for big tournaments,î Kolbow said. ìIíll be able to train better and that will help my teammates.î
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