POULSBO — Jeff Jones is a wrestler on a mission. Not only is he planning to finish the wrestling season as one of the top three wrestlers in the state, but he’s also aiming to make his father proud.
The North Kitsap High School senior began training for wrestling season two months before the first practice. Alongside his friend and fellow senior wrestler Anthony Lindfors, he dabbled in mixed martial arts, hit the open mat four days a week and racked up the running miles. They take their leadership role on NK’s wrestling squad seriously. If they slack, assistant coach Dave Jones, who plays a dual role as Jeff’s father, will offer a not-so-gentle incentive to get back on track.
Both are anxious to get the season started. Lindfors enjoys the sport because it allows his real-life calm persona to slip into oblivion.
“I’m an intense person on the mat,” he said.
He makes no apologies outright, stating his goal of returning to the state championship this year, as last year’s experience left a void that must be dealt with.
“I was in two very, very tough matches last year. They came down to the last few seconds,” Lindfors said. “They were the kind of matches you have to take and learn from.”
Coach Jon Cooke is fortunate to have strong seniors leading his team this year, and he appreciates the expertise.
“We have a really solid core of seniors,” he said.
In contrast, the team is heavy with inexperience as a majority of the 25 teammates are juniors and younger. The 14 varsity slots will be decided through challenge matches each week, so the wrestlers are forced to stay on top of their games.
This is the first year freshmen will on the team, which poses a particular challenge.
“They’re a little immature (in the sport), I’ve got to lighten things up, especially for this year’s freshmen, who don’t have a lot of experience. They’re freshman; I don’t expect them to go out there and beat seniors,” Cooke said.
The freshmen will help lay a solid foundation for the future, though, so the work Cooke puts into them now will pay off in dividends.
“I love working with the wrestlers and watching them grow up and seeing them improve as they mature,” he said.
The key to being successful in sports is to remain focused, he said. In the days of text messaging and other electronic distractions, Cooke has become creative in keeping his wrestlers’ minds on the sport.
“If a phone rings, I’ll answer it and they’ll do pushups while I’m talking to whoever called,” he said. “If they’re not focused, they’ll peter out.”
Paul Coulter, a senior, personifies focus. A sprained ankle at districts last year derailed his state ambitions. He chalked up his injury as “pretty annoying.” This year, there may not be much in his way of earning a ticket to the state tournament. At 152 pounds, he’s wrestling in the same class as last year, and the wrestler who caused the injury isn’t on the mat this year.
“There might be someone new this year,” he said. “I don’t know what’s going happen, but it’s going to be fun.”
