Warsaw Wrestler Ranked No. 1 In The Country
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Anthony [email protected]
Wrestling has always been a major component of his life, and that work seems to have paid off, as he's not only the top-ranked 113-pounder in the state, but is also tops in the nation.
In high school, Brooks has amassed a 104-6 record, finishing fifth in the state as a 103-pound sophomore and second at 112 pounds as a junior.
This summer, he took his show on the road to Minnesota, finishing second to Nathan Tomasello of Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy in Ohio at the USA Wrestling Cadet and Junior Nationals in Fargo in early July. However, he came back for the Super 32 in Greensboro, N.C. at the end of October, getting the best of Tomasello, and claiming the nation's top ranking with a 5-2 victory.
"I've been working with my brother (Justin Brooks), as well as Dennis Minix and Robbie Nieto, training in jiu-jitsu, which has really helped with my scrambling," Jarred said while attending a wrestling tournament this weekend. "I've also been training a lot with my dad."
Working with Justin has been beneficial for Jarred, as Justin was one of the top lightweight wrestlers in the state during his prep days, before signing up to wrestle with Indiana University.
But just as he's been helping him on the mat, Justin also assisted Jarred with a college decision, advising his younger brother to go small instead of to a larger school.
While Justin went the big-school route, he's quit the Hoosiers' team after not liking the way he was being treated, but says he may rejoin the team next season.
With that kind of story, Jarred is opting to go to Indiana Tech in Fort Wayne for his next level of education.
"He could have gone to a big school, but he saw what I went through," Justin, a red-shirt sophomore at Indiana, said. "With Indiana Tech, he's going to an atmosphere that's more 'at-home'. Their coach (Mike Ester) is amazing and Jarred already knows a lot of the guys there. It's really going to be a home away from home. Jarred's more of a small-school guy. He's not really into getting a Division-I championship. He just wants to go get a good education."
Jarred did say his brother's experience at Indiana did effect his decision.
"I don't know if that's really for me," he said.
But before worrying about wrestling in college, Jarred is currently waiting to get back on the high school mat, as he's serving a suspension right now, expecting to be back Dec. 17 for the Penn Super Duals.
Despite the suspension, Justin has seen a growth in his brother.
"His maturity has gone way up," he said.
And the maturity isn't the only thing that's improved.
"He's always been good, but now he's unreal," Justin said. "He's learned how to train and work out so much better. It's awesome. His work ethic has improved, and each time I come home, he's so much bigger and stronger. His technique is also perfect. He's twice the wrestler I was when I was in high school."
That improvement has gotten Jarred to reach the top of the prep rankings, but he also knows he needs to focus on his high school opponents, even if he overmatches anyone he sees.
"I'm not really looking past anyone," Jarred said. "Indiana is still one of the top wrestling states in the country, ranking ninth."
And despite all his success, Jarred is still looking to obtain a state title which has not eluded him, but also escaped Justin, who amassed a 158-11 prep record, reaching the state finals each year.
"I definitely want a state championship," Jarred said. "It's definitely a goal of mine. I also really want a Fargo National Championship too."[[In-content Ad]]
Wrestling has always been a major component of his life, and that work seems to have paid off, as he's not only the top-ranked 113-pounder in the state, but is also tops in the nation.
In high school, Brooks has amassed a 104-6 record, finishing fifth in the state as a 103-pound sophomore and second at 112 pounds as a junior.
This summer, he took his show on the road to Minnesota, finishing second to Nathan Tomasello of Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy in Ohio at the USA Wrestling Cadet and Junior Nationals in Fargo in early July. However, he came back for the Super 32 in Greensboro, N.C. at the end of October, getting the best of Tomasello, and claiming the nation's top ranking with a 5-2 victory.
"I've been working with my brother (Justin Brooks), as well as Dennis Minix and Robbie Nieto, training in jiu-jitsu, which has really helped with my scrambling," Jarred said while attending a wrestling tournament this weekend. "I've also been training a lot with my dad."
Working with Justin has been beneficial for Jarred, as Justin was one of the top lightweight wrestlers in the state during his prep days, before signing up to wrestle with Indiana University.
But just as he's been helping him on the mat, Justin also assisted Jarred with a college decision, advising his younger brother to go small instead of to a larger school.
While Justin went the big-school route, he's quit the Hoosiers' team after not liking the way he was being treated, but says he may rejoin the team next season.
With that kind of story, Jarred is opting to go to Indiana Tech in Fort Wayne for his next level of education.
"He could have gone to a big school, but he saw what I went through," Justin, a red-shirt sophomore at Indiana, said. "With Indiana Tech, he's going to an atmosphere that's more 'at-home'. Their coach (Mike Ester) is amazing and Jarred already knows a lot of the guys there. It's really going to be a home away from home. Jarred's more of a small-school guy. He's not really into getting a Division-I championship. He just wants to go get a good education."
Jarred did say his brother's experience at Indiana did effect his decision.
"I don't know if that's really for me," he said.
But before worrying about wrestling in college, Jarred is currently waiting to get back on the high school mat, as he's serving a suspension right now, expecting to be back Dec. 17 for the Penn Super Duals.
Despite the suspension, Justin has seen a growth in his brother.
"His maturity has gone way up," he said.
And the maturity isn't the only thing that's improved.
"He's always been good, but now he's unreal," Justin said. "He's learned how to train and work out so much better. It's awesome. His work ethic has improved, and each time I come home, he's so much bigger and stronger. His technique is also perfect. He's twice the wrestler I was when I was in high school."
That improvement has gotten Jarred to reach the top of the prep rankings, but he also knows he needs to focus on his high school opponents, even if he overmatches anyone he sees.
"I'm not really looking past anyone," Jarred said. "Indiana is still one of the top wrestling states in the country, ranking ninth."
And despite all his success, Jarred is still looking to obtain a state title which has not eluded him, but also escaped Justin, who amassed a 158-11 prep record, reaching the state finals each year.
"I definitely want a state championship," Jarred said. "It's definitely a goal of mine. I also really want a Fargo National Championship too."[[In-content Ad]]
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