ROGERS -- Jake Turner likes to learn from every loss he experiences on the wrestling mat.
The Rogers High sophomore has been the one schooling his opponents this season. He takes a 47-1 record into this weekend's Big West Conference tournament, which begins today at Bentonville West's Wolverine Arena.
At A Glance
Jake Turner
SCHOOL Rogers High
CLASS Sophomore
WEIGHT CLASS 138
NOTABLE Finished as Class 6A-7A state runner-up at 126 pounds last year, finishing with a 50-6 recrd, losing to three-time state champion Kimble Jennings 3-2 in the finals. … Currently 46-1 this season heading into the Big West Tournament this weekend and has won four tournaments this season, including the Thundering Herd Invitaitonal in Buffalo, Mo., and the Butler (Mo.) Invitional.
For more information on this story, see the video at arpreps.com and nwadg.com.
At A Glance
Prep Wrestling
Big West Conference Tournament
at Bentonville West, Centerton
Wrestling begins today at 3:30 p.m. with pigtails, quarterfinals and two consolation rounds. … Actions begins on Saturday at 10 a.m. with semifinals and finals are scheduled for 3 p.m.
Rogers coach Ken Simmons said Turner's first match of the season against a defending state champion from Seneca, Mo., has been the only competitive one thus far at 138 pounds. His lone loss came to Rogers Heritage's Chance McCrary, when he bumped up to 145.
"For him at 138, he's been dominant," Simmons said. "The first match he won 6-4, after that he's dominated except for the one match I bumped him up. Technique-wise, he's really solid. I haven't seen anyone match him for his intensity."
Simmons said the big difference in Turner from last season is more confidence.
"He's much more aggressive," Simmons said. "A lot of that goes with he's more confident in his abilities. When you're a freshman coming in, you have some self-doubts sometimes. We've been preaching to him this year, you're the best guy in the state, you inflict your style of wrestling on the other guy."
Turner finished 50-6 last season as a freshman and was Class 6A-7A state runner-up. But a pair of close losses late last season to Springdale Har-Ber's Kimble Jennings, a three-time state champion, provided him motivation to get better.
"I lost by one point both times," Turner said. "Yes it's motivation. That and knowing you could have done better.I'm more aggressive. Last year, I hardly ever took took shots. This year, I take a lot more. I've improved my stance and aggressiveness. I was very hesitant in neutral position."
The 15-year-old doesn't mind good competition since he said that's where he learns more. Even if he takes a loss or two, facing good opponents from all over the country only makes him better, Turner said.
Simmons said Turner's work ethic makes him special. Last year he decided to quit football to concentrate on wrestling and it's paid off already.
"He's serious about it, focused," Simmons said. "He spends his time in here trying to get better. Also his summers going to camps. I look at him as being a Division I, Division II college wrestler. He's on the right track to get that done."
Simmons also said Turner is likely to get bigger, based on the size of his parents, but starting in lighter weights will serve him well in the future, the coach added.
"Look at his dad, who was a college football player, a lineman," Simmons said. "Look at a guy like Tommy Rowlands, a former Ohio State wrestler, who started at 125, but ended up wrestling heavyweight in college. But he could shoot double legs and singles. Not your typical heavyweight.
"Looking at Jake, he's getting stronger. He'll be fine where ever he goes."
Turner's already won multiple tournaments in Missouri this year, his focus will turn to the Big West tournament and then the state tournament -- two titles that eluded him a year ago.
"I think I've improved a lot from last year and I hope it's a lot less stressful," Turner said.
Sports on 02/10/2017