Jack Sindlinger wins Greco and Freestyle state wrestling titles

By John Burbridge sports@charlescitypress.com

CHARLES CITY — Being large — or a good size for your age or class — doesn’t mean you’re always in charge.

Just ask Jack Sindlinger.

As a good-sized freshman, Sindlinger was thrown into the varsity wrestling fire filling in several upper-weight spots while taking his lumps against upperclassmen. In many of his freshman varsity bouts, Sindlinger would do well early only to have experience take over in the latter periods.

The beginning of Sindlinger’s sophomore season was following the same pattern. But during this past Christmas Break while many people were formulating New Year’s resolutions that would likely be broken, Sindlinger decided to strengthen his resolve to the sport he has been involved in since preschool.

“There’s nothing you can do about an opponent who’s more physically mature that you, except work harder than him,” Sindlinger said. “During the break, I decided I was going to work harder at wrestling than I ever had before.”

The extra effort yielded results as Sindlinger picked it up during the latter half of the season. Then during the postseason, Sindlinger managed to bust a few brackets on way to qualifying to state.

By the time he got to Des Moines, Sindlinger’s record was around .500 as he was the Class 2A 170-pound bracket longshot. But he ended up recording two falls during the tournament while becoming a podium placer and Grand March participant.

“I didn’t think I was going to place at state,” Sindlinger said, “but when I did it was a great experience.”

Sindlinger has been active during the offseason. On May 5-6, Sindlinger won two state titles while competing in the Cadet 195 division at the Iowa/USA State Freestyle Championships and the Iowa/USA State Greco Championships, both held at Southeast Polk High School in Pheasant Hill.

All of Sindlinger’s victories came by fall or technical fall.

Out of the three most popular disciplines — Greco, Freestyle, Folkstyle (high school) — Sindlinger prefers Greco-Roman.

“There are no legs involved and I like to use my upper body,” he said.

Next big tournament for Sindlinger is the US Marines Cadet and Junior Nationals, July 12-20, at the FARGODOME in Fargo, N.D. Sindlinger will wrestle as a member of the Iowa National Team.

Though Sindinger dedicates much of the year to wrestling, he’s not a one-sport athlete as he also plays football.

“I think it helps me with my wrestling,” he said. “I know some guys get into wrestling to get better in football. For me, it’s the other way around.”