Returning wrestler Jordan has high hopes for season at NU
Dana Marie Ahrens
Issue date: 10/18/07 Section: Sports
- Page 1 of 1
A 2007 junior college national champion, Kenny Jordan has returned to Nebraska for a second chance.
Jordan wrestled for the Cornhuskers during the 2005-2006 season, finishing with an 11-0 record through two tournaments before redshirting.
That's when he decided to return to his home state of Illinois, where he took a year off from the Division I level of competition. Jordan transferred to Lincoln Community College in Lincoln, Ill., where he won the juco national title at 133 pounds.
NU Coach Mark Manning said it was the best thing for Jordan to get away from Nebraska for a year to focus on his wrestling and school.
"He had to make sure his energy and his mind-set were directed the right way so he could be successful," Manning said. "I think he needed a year away from our program so he could grow, mature and develop and know he was going to be a great wrestler.
"Kenny is a great-hearted young man and he has made good choices to come back to our program."
Manning said Jordan has returned to the team with a positive attitude of only wanting to help the team be successful. His teammates can see it as well.
"He has proven to his teammates that he wants to be part of our program and he wants to have, what I call, 'a total commitment;' being a great wrestler, citizen and a team leader, to grow to be a champion," Manning said. "The team is very glad to see him back wrestling for the team."
Jordan, now a sophomore, said he thinks the break from Nebraska really helped set his goals in the correct place.
"I knew that I had to fix some things in my life, and I usually try to focus on what I do now," Jordan said. "Instead of doing so much now, I just try to focus on what I need to do to score points."
Jordan returned to Nebraska to wrestle with many of the same teammates as before. He said he left a goal at NU and he is going to accomplish it.
"I feel even closer with them now," Jordan said of his fellow wrestlers. "I think they see, and I see, that I came back to finish what I have started. I am not messing around; I made a sacrifice and sat out a year, but now I am back."
Manning said Jordan's goals are set high this season, and the coach has high expectations for him.
"He brings a really hard-nosed, tough attitude to the team," Manning said. "He has a never-say-die attitude and he wants to be great and he is willing to pay the price.
"He has got the chance to be really good."
Nebraska will begin wrestle-offs on Nov. 2 at the Bob Devaney Sports Center. The event will determine Nebraska's starter for each of its 10 weight classes.
Jordan said the team has bigger goals than ever. It knows what its potential is, and the 133-pounder wants to be the best possible.
"Everyone on the team knows we can be national champs," Jordan said. "And for me as an individual, I want to be a national champ.
"That is my No.1 goal."
DANAAHRENS@DAILYNEBRASKAN.COM
Jordan wrestled for the Cornhuskers during the 2005-2006 season, finishing with an 11-0 record through two tournaments before redshirting.
That's when he decided to return to his home state of Illinois, where he took a year off from the Division I level of competition. Jordan transferred to Lincoln Community College in Lincoln, Ill., where he won the juco national title at 133 pounds.
NU Coach Mark Manning said it was the best thing for Jordan to get away from Nebraska for a year to focus on his wrestling and school.
"He had to make sure his energy and his mind-set were directed the right way so he could be successful," Manning said. "I think he needed a year away from our program so he could grow, mature and develop and know he was going to be a great wrestler.
"Kenny is a great-hearted young man and he has made good choices to come back to our program."
Manning said Jordan has returned to the team with a positive attitude of only wanting to help the team be successful. His teammates can see it as well.
"He has proven to his teammates that he wants to be part of our program and he wants to have, what I call, 'a total commitment;' being a great wrestler, citizen and a team leader, to grow to be a champion," Manning said. "The team is very glad to see him back wrestling for the team."
Jordan, now a sophomore, said he thinks the break from Nebraska really helped set his goals in the correct place.
"I knew that I had to fix some things in my life, and I usually try to focus on what I do now," Jordan said. "Instead of doing so much now, I just try to focus on what I need to do to score points."
Jordan returned to Nebraska to wrestle with many of the same teammates as before. He said he left a goal at NU and he is going to accomplish it.
"I feel even closer with them now," Jordan said of his fellow wrestlers. "I think they see, and I see, that I came back to finish what I have started. I am not messing around; I made a sacrifice and sat out a year, but now I am back."
Manning said Jordan's goals are set high this season, and the coach has high expectations for him.
"He brings a really hard-nosed, tough attitude to the team," Manning said. "He has a never-say-die attitude and he wants to be great and he is willing to pay the price.
"He has got the chance to be really good."
Nebraska will begin wrestle-offs on Nov. 2 at the Bob Devaney Sports Center. The event will determine Nebraska's starter for each of its 10 weight classes.
Jordan said the team has bigger goals than ever. It knows what its potential is, and the 133-pounder wants to be the best possible.
"Everyone on the team knows we can be national champs," Jordan said. "And for me as an individual, I want to be a national champ.
"That is my No.1 goal."
DANAAHRENS@DAILYNEBRASKAN.COM
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