Congrats to Jason Russell on making it to Nationals!

• 1prouddad

  Heidelberg University's 197 lb'r and Columbus Native Jason Russell took 3rd at the D3 Regionals today in York, PA to qualify for Nationals. Congrats Jason!
• knightflyer150

  1prouddad;1586331 wrote:Heidelberg University's 197 lb'r and Columbus Native Jason Russell took 3rd at the D3 Regionals today in York, PA to qualify for Nationals. Congrats Jason!

  
  I've gotten to know Jason over the years, and there is really no way to quantify how much hard work has factored into his rise. I will let my brother, Scott, who coached Jason at West HS or Mike Rodriguez tell his story. Really, any one of a number of people could do it justice.
  
  After his freshman year in high school, he was so bad that he literally couldn't get in a three man group at open mats. In two weeks, he'll wrestle at the D3 NCAA Tourney. Major props to Jason.
• cruiser_96

  

  Echoing the major props.
  
  Way to go, Jason!!!!!
• 112in84

  

  Nice job Jason, I know I see him every where at open mats in the summer/fall......good luck !
• Cthelites

  Gratz Jason! Good luck at Natties'
  i also see him giving back by taking many city kids with him to open mats.
• bribacker51

  

  A fine young man that really embodies everything we all love about this sport! You have put in the work now good luck in your march to the podium.
• lowsingle174

  Hard work pays off for sure. Congrats again, Well deserved.
• Bitterrunner-up

  Knightflyer nailed it. We're talking about a kid who was so bad the "cool kids" wouldn't even let him in their groups at open mats. Honestly, I think that's why I started drilling with him. I felt bad for him. It was like watching an unpopular kid at a middle school dance. He'd ask someone to roll, and they'd just say no. If he ever got discouraged, he never let it show. He just kept showing up and geting better, and by the time he was a senior, he was handing it to most of those same "cool kids" (and after his freshman year in college, I couldn't even give him a competitive go anymore). It doesn't always work out that way. Our sport isn't always just...but I'm so glad it was in this case.
  
  
  There were three things that stuck out to me about Jason. First, he's a sponge. He'll listen to what you have to say, even the small details, and he'll try it. He'll give it a shot, he'll make it his own and incorporate it into his game. Another is his understanding and love for the culture of the sport. He get's it at a level that most kids (including me) don't realize until they've been out of the sport for a while. And finally, it's the FACT that he is a genuinely good kid. Kind and respectful, funny and sincere...one of my all time favorite wrestlers I've ever had the pleasure of working with. I have no doubt that he'll make a great teacher and coach someday. And I'd be proud to serve on his staff in the future.
• sackerdrag

  The great thing about Jason, is that he will probably be a little humbled/embarrassed that this thread exists. Jason has come a long way from the kid who won 2 matches as a freshman to where he is today. Hard work and believing in yourself can take you a long way, but there is so much more to the story than that. After Jason's junior year of high school I met him to wrestle a spring open tournament (Groveport Madison actually). This this was pretty common at the time as Jason would find a way to get there for weigh in/etc. and I would meet up with him to watch/critique his performance. Upon arriving this time I was surprised to see 5 other West High Cowboys were also participating in the tournament. During one of the breaks I asked one of the other upperclassman why there was such a great turnout. "Russell paid for anybody on the team that wanted to wrestle" was the reply(Jason worked part time at Baskin Robbins). When I questioned Jason about this, admitted that he really wanted West to be a good team and thought this would help guys get committed to offseason training. When home from college, Jason regularly picks up current members of the Cowboys wrestling team and brings them to open mats, clinics, and tourneys (many of which he pays for). If Jason Russell had never improved and continued to stink at wrestling I would still be very proud of the man he has become and his dedication to helping others.
• hang_loose

  Best of luck to you Jason at the Nationals. Bring some hardware home!!!
  
  
  Bitterrunner-up & sackerdrag......Nice and interesting bios on Jason.
• It is what it is

  Congrats and good luck Jason!
• bw133

  Congrats Russ!! Glad we could make the show together! Told you at the beginning we were going to rep Central Ohio this weekend! See you in Iowa
  
  AT
• Westie101

  

  bw133;1587019 wrote:Congrats Russ!! Glad we could make the show together! Told you at the beginning we were going to rep Central Ohio this weekend! See you in Iowa
  
  AT

  Thanks bud, you were wrestling lights out. Find me before the tournament, we will get a picture. Also, thanks for the kind words everybody!
• bw133

  We central Ohio boys know when to peak at the right time. Can't wait to take that pic!
• cruiser_96

  

  Best of luck bw133
  
  Check out #WhereAreTheyNow via @InsideThe360
• 1prouddad

  Good Luck bw133 and westie101!
• oldskoolnike

  Congrats to Russell. I can remember watching him roll at bishop ready and groveport back in the day. Glad to see the hard work is paying off because as bitter said, it often does not.