Rutschow wins tournament, predicted to place at state
By Olivia London-Chambers, Reporter

The 2019-2020 wrestling season has been a particularly successful one for junior Jordan Rutschow. The season is not yet complete, but Rutschow is predicted to finish in third place in the state for division 1A wrestling.

“I’ve won the Rock tournament, the Everett tournament, and the Auburn tournament for my 160 varsity brackets,” he said. “League-wise I’ve been undefeated so far.”

This is Rutschow’s third year on the high school’s wrestling team.

“Honestly, the only reason I got into the sport was because I was pressured into it by my friends, and I needed something to do in the winter, so I figured ‘Why not?’” Rutschow said.

Rutschow isn’t the only wrestler in his family.

“After getting into it my first year, I learned that my dad and a bunch of my uncles wrestled, too, so I have a whole family and a bunch of friends who know what the sport is all about,” he said.

The success Rutschow has seen this season has been well-earned.

“My favorite part about wrestling would have to be the self motivation,” Rutschow said. “Wrestling is very much an individual sport … You know that all your achievements were because you went to practice every day.”

While individual commitment is fundamental to wrestling, motivation often comes from a strong bond among teammates.

“For the first couple years, you’re looking up to the juniors and seniors,” Rutschow said. “Wrestling is a tough sport, so sometimes you sort of feel like giving up, but [the upperclassmen] are always pushing you to go further and further. This year as a junior and next year as a senior, [underclassmen] are always looking up to me and it feels really good to give back and be a role model in that sense.”

Rutschow recommends everyone try a sport like wrestling at some point in their lives.

“I’ve played plenty of sports, and wrestling is probably one of the most unique [sports],” he said “Even if it’s just to roll around and try it out, or see if you actually like it, everyone should give it a shot.”