He has always been short on words, but big on wins.
Little has changed during the last year for senior and two-time state wrestling champion Jake Swartz, Auburn High’s – and, without exaggeration, the state’s – premier wrestler.
Little has changed, that is – except for the wins. Seems every time Swartz takes the mat these days, the ‘W’ column bulges just a bit bigger. Which makes it no surprise that by season’s end, the youngest of three star-caliber wrestling brothers should own Auburn High’s all-time record in the category.
“It’s pretty cool,” said the low-key Swartz without offering even a hint of excitement. “It’s exciting to know that I’m doing so good.”
Cool?
Good?
That’s about as much as one will get from Swartz, who always has been more interested in delivering on the mat, in the gym or in the classroom than during any interview.
That being the case, Swartz’ numbers speak volumes as does the 18-year-old’s unmatched drive.
Want determination?
Swartz established a couple of goals a little more than a decade ago. That’s right – when he was just 8. Those goals included winning at least two state championships and earning a full-ride scholarship to wrestle in college.
Now, 10 years later, Swartz has accomplished both. He recently accepted an offer to wrestle with older brother Kurt next year at Boise State University.
But before that, the youngest Swartz has a couple of other goals he hopes to check off: an undefeated season and the school’s all-time win mark.
Swartz has gone 40-1 in each of the last two seasons and stepped onto the mat this winter with a 112-11 overall record. That’s just 22 wins behind former Auburn star Shane Onufer, who went 134-18 and won two state titles with the Trojans.
“We’ve been practicing together since I was 12,” said Swartz, who will be wrestling at 189 pounds this year and, likely, at 184 or 197 next year in college. “Shane really pushed me and helped me get ready.”
Onufer, now wrestling at the University of Wyoming, wasn’t surprised about the likelihood of his record being broken, particularly by Swartz.
“I think I trained (Jake) pretty well,” said Onufer, a 2007 Auburn graduate who entered the week with a 16-2 record this season. “I kind of saw it coming after he won (the state title) as a sophomore.
“I’m happy for the kid.”
If all goes as anticipated, Swartz also will re-write another Auburn High wrestling record. The Trojans have produced plenty of two-time state champions, the most recent two being Onufer (2006-2007) and older brother Kurt (2005-06).
No Trojan has won three straight.
“I always wanted to be a two-timer or three-timer,” said Jake, who added roughly 20 pounds of muscle since last year and benches well over 250 pounds.
The consensus of coaches around the South Puget Sound League North Division is that little will stop Swartz’ quest this year.
“I don’t see anybody coming near him,” Kentwood coach Ken Sroka said. “If they do, I’d be floored.”
Some simply won’t come near Swartz, choosing rather to bump up or down a weight and thus dodging the Auburn star.
“He’s really good,” Auburn Riverside coach Steve Mead said. “He’s different … he takes kids down and rides them forever. He doesn’t always show the glamour … but good luck beating him.”
If all goes as planned, nobody will this season.
On the rise
Auburn High has produced more than its share of state champions.
Auburn Riverside, which opened in 1995, has followed suit.
And while Auburn Mountainview, the new kid on the block, hasn’t yet tacked a golden performance onto its board, success is spreading at the fourth-year school.
Last February, the Lions had three wrestlers place at the state tournament: Drew Dacey (seventh at 119 pounds), Jericho Urmenita (fourth at 125) and Ricky Bobadilla (fifth at 135). It’s the first time any Auburn Mountainview wrestler — much less three — placed at state.
With Dacey and Urmenita back in the fold, expect a few more fireworks this year.
“I think we have anywhere from three to six placers, I’d guess,” coach Adam France said. “We’re looking pretty good.”
France, who has been the Auburn Mountainview coach since the school opened, has reason for excitement. The program, which clearly is on the rise, will host its first-ever tournament on Jan. 17 — dubbed the “Tournament of Champions.”
In addition, on Jan. 16 at the school, the Lions will host the first-ever SPSL girls dual meet.
France long has been one of the area’s staunchest supporters of girls wrestling and can boast of having two of Auburn’s best on his own team in Tiffany My and Lilia Gudzyuk.
Girls wrestling is entering its third year as an official sport recognized by the WIAA.
“I’m hoping that, now that we’re in our third year, things will start rolling with the girls,” said France, who has five girls on the team, but hopes that number increases as the season progresses.
Ready for a breakthrough
Auburn Riverside’s Michael Turner has spent the last three years living in the shadows of star teammates Michael Mangrum and Eric Jones.
While Mangrum and Jones were busy winning state titles, the unheralded Turner was delivering, too: three straight state tournament appearances, an impressive accomplishment in itself.
To put that into perspective, the majority of those who choose to wrestle in high school never even make it to the Tacoma Dome.
Yet, for all the success AR’s 119-pound senior has enjoyed, there’s still something missing: a state medal.
“Every year, I was expecting to place,” Turner said. “I just need to keep working harder. My weight class was hard last year, but I still think I could have beaten whoever was there.”
Turner has come a long way since first stepping onto the mat as a 103-pound freshman. Three years later, it’s now or never for a podium finish.
“I would be shocked if he didn’t place this year,” said AR coach Steve Mead. “I’ve got to think he can compete with anybody.”
CIRCLE ON THE CALENDAR
Dec. 19-20, Tri-State: Many wrestlers consider this the biggest tournament of the year. Top grapplers from around the Northwest compete. Auburn, Auburn Mountainview, Kentlake and Tahoma will be competing.
Jan. 2-3, Pac Coast: Tournament at Hudson’s Bay High in Vancouver is nearly as big as Tri-State. Kentwood, Tahoma and Auburn will be in competition.
Jan. 14: Kentwood at Tahoma — If the last two years are any indication, this could decide the North crown.
Jan. 22: Kentlake at Kentwood — Dubbed “Cov-town Throwdown,” roughly a dozen state qualifiers should be in competition.
Feb. 20-21: State tournament, Tacoma Dome: The best way to explain the state tournament for those who have not been there is controlled chaos. Definitely worth the price of admission.
WRESTLERS TO WATCH
NAME School ‘08 WEIGHT
Jake Swartz Auburn 171 Senior
Notable: How good is he? Others bump up or down a weight to avoid him.
Cody Quinn Kentwood 135 Senior
Notable: Knee injury marred final results last season; look out.
Nick Bayer Tahoma 171 Junior
Notable: Quietly emerged last year, winning title; could dominate.
Michael Turner A. Riverside 119 Senior
Notable: Three-year state veteran should break through this season.
Ruben Navejas Kentwood WT. Sophomore
Notable: One of state’s best (37-0) heading into last year’s Mat Classic.
Tyler Lamb Tahoma 135 Junior
Notable: Has placed among state’s top five two years in a row.
Antonia Navejas Kentwood 135 Senior
Notable: One of the toughest girls in the state. Should be favorite this year.
Jolene Crook-Meyers Kentwood 140 Senior
Notable: She’s taken second at state two straight years.
