The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Senior has his sights set on Columbus
After suffering a broken hand last season, North Ridgeville’s Dunstan wants to finish his senior year on the podium at the state tournament
After a broken hand last season, North Ridgeville’s Jacob Dunstan has his sights set on the state tourney.
North Ridgeville senior Jacob Dunstan has a bit of an appreciation for wrestling this season.
The 126-pounder skipped out his first two seasons before returning last year and placed third at sectional.
It came with a price. Dunstan suffered a broken hand in that placement match, forcing him to miss the district tournament. It’s for that reason his focus is higher than ever.
“I want to place at state,” Dunstan said.
At 32-1 overall, Dunstan is off to an impressive start, taking second at the Avon Lake Cobos Insurance Classic to open the season before winning the Mike Lewis Invitational, J.B. Firestone Invitational, and Perry Pin City tournament.
He’s on a 27-match winning streak.
His teammate, Jared Viancourt (145), has helped push him in the school’s wrestling room each day and credits that to his success.
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“So at the end of the day, my goal still doesn’t change whether I’m ranked or not.”
— North Ridgeville wrestler Jacob Dunstan
Dunstan’s start has earned him state recognition as he’s currently the 12th ranked wrestler in Division I, according to Borofan.
For some, that might mean something, but it doesn’t change Dunstan’s
approach.
“Last year I wasn’t state ranked and I still got to district before I broke my hand,” he said. “So at the end of the day, my goal still doesn’t change whether I’m ranked or not.”
Dunstan has wrestled at 126 and 132 pounds, but feels stronger at 126.
Before the season, he got up to 150 pounds before he dropped significant weight.
His father, Matthew, got him involved in the sport when he was 5. He played several sports, but wrestling was his love and in his second year out, placed second at the state tournament.
Led by Dunstan, the Rangers are experiencing the most success they’ve had in a while. They took fourth at Avon Lake, won the Mike Lewis Invitational,
took second at the J.B. Firestone Invitational and Vermilion Duals.
“We always go in and we’re there to work,” Dunstan said. “It’s been a big change from last year as far as how serious everyone takes it. Having more bodies is helping us out in those tournaments and that’s been the major difference.”
Dunstan plans to attend Baldwin Wallace and major in biology with a minor in neuroscience, but hasn’t committed to wrestling yet.
If the start of this season is any indication, he’ll pick up more wins along the way with a chance of finally reaching and placing at the state tournament.
“That’s pretty much my goal,” he added.