The Falcons’ highly touted sophomore was the area’s only undefeated wrestler, going 35-0 in the regular season and 46-0 overall on his way to a second straight state title, this time at 145 pounds. He pinned all four opponents in Columbus last weekend.
But it was a loss, the only loss of a dominating career to date, that helped Bo grow. It came midway through a freshman year that saw Jordan go 39-1 — to Walsh Jesuit’s Nick Skonieczny.
“I think losing to him was probably better,” said Jordan. “It made me train harder in the room.
“I think I would have been more nervous going into the semis at state,” he added. “The revenge factor took off the pressure.”
He got his revenge, too, with a 3-1 win over Skonieczny — and he hasn’t looked back since.
“I think it did some great things for Bo,” said his father and coach, Jeff Jordan. “It made him go out and wrestle. (Before the loss) I think he was just out there trying not to lose. He wasn’t attacking on offense. To win, you’ve got to go on the offensive.”
In fact, it was just what the doctor ordered.
“I really like all my guys to lose every once in awhile,” said Jeff Jordan. “In my 10 years, I’ve had maybe four or five guys finish undefeated. It keeps them hungry and keeps them focused.”
And Bo has to be, being the oldest son and nephew of four-time state champs.
“I feel some pressure,” Bo admitted. “That’s been my goal since I really started wrestling, wanting to be a four-time state champ just like my dad and uncle. You just got to try not to think of it.”
He has plenty of competition daily in the practice room to keep his mind occupied.
“That helps out a lot,” he said. “There are so many good guys who come to the camps, you are wrestling top-notch guys all the time. Your confidence is pretty good going into the state.”
He’ll need that confidence, because he has some lofty goals.
“I want to go to a Big Ten college, that’s for sure,” he said. “And from there, win an NCAA title and be an All-American. From there, be a coach like my dad. I want to be in wrestling my whole life.”
Growing up as the son of a wrestling coach, that hasn’t been a problem to date.
“I enjoy coaching him, and I just want him to make progress in the next two years and keep his head on and focused on the long-term goals,” said Papa Jordan. “Sometimes kids lose focus when have success early. Sometimes guys will get a little lackadaisical. As of right now, he’s not. But you’ve got to keep them on the right path.”
About the Author