Jessop shares his experience at IHSAA wrestling state finals.

Q: How did you feel knowing you were representing our school?

A: I felt very proud to know that I was representing HSE in state because I felt that I got to show how tough HSE is and it was fun representing something bigger than one’s self.

Q: What did it feel like wrestling in a place like Bankers Life Fieldhouse?

A: The feeling of wrestling at Bankers Life was unreal. It was very intimidating to be under the lights surrounded by hundreds of fans cheering. I was glad that I had one of my best friends and wrestling partner, Joe Mazero by my side to enjoy the experience. Definitely a feeling I will never forget.

Q: Where did you place?

A: I ended up placing eighth in state.

Q: What emotions were you feeling considering it was your last wrestling meet?

A: Though I was sad knowing that my wrestling and sports career was coming to an end I had a little bit of relief knowing all my hard work had paid off and that I would never have to cut weight ever again or have one of Coach Poyer’s famous “red flag” practices.

Q: How nervous were you?

A: I was nervous before my first match Friday night. Joe Mazero and I were together in one of the locker rooms resting and awaiting our match talking and mentally preparing for our matches. We were nervous but glad we had one another there knowing we had achieved greatness and would continue too that night.

Q: What went through your mind when wrestling?

A: During my first match to get to the placing rounds I kept a solid mindset knowing that I would win the match if I wrestled the way I knew I could. I was up by a decent amount in the beginning but then slowly started to lose the lead. In third period I knew I would win if I kept in good position and thought to myself that I have to wrestle the best I ever have and to keep pushing myself if I wanted to continue. I knew I would win if I kept that mindset. That [mindset] was key to my win and advancement to the placing rounds. 

Q: How did you feel about your overall performance?

A: I felt proud of how I competed but also a little upset because I knew I should have placed a lot better than eighth. I was winning in my quarter finals match to the guy who ended up getting fourth place but then made a costly mistake and ended up losing the matches. But, overall I was happy with my performance as I had dreamed and worked to my goal of becoming a state placer in Indiana.

Q: How did you celebrate afterwards?

A: After state that night, I hung out with my second family which are the guys on the wrestling team who I have battled with throughout my years, including: Joe Mazero, Joe Myren, Max Burris, Blake Forbes and Jacob Garcia. I wanted to celebrate with those guys because I consider them my brothers. We have seen the good and the bad of each other and we have battled side by side for the past couple of years.

Q: What does wrestling mean to you?

A: Wrestling has meant a lot to me in my life. I started in eighth grade and from my first match I knew this was the sport for me. Every day in the wrestling room was a battle and I have learned so many life lessons from the sport like: never giving up, how to battle through adversity and many more [life lessons] that will serve me well throughout my lifetime. With wrestling I have also gained a second family with my coaches and teammates. There is nothing like the sport and I will never forget my time on the team.

Photos contributed.