If the past is prelude, Yorkville junior Jack Ferguson was fortunate to overcome his earliest wrestling experience.
Literally born into the sport through his family connections, his first foray was not pleasant, to say the least.
“My dad wrestled and then my older brother,” Ferguson said. “It was natural that I would also get into it. I remember my first practice — I got head-butted.
“I just spent the rest of the day crying.”
Well, look who’s crying now? It’s not Ferguson, but it could be his opponents.
Ferguson (34-10), a two-time state qualifier, is one of the top wrestlers in Class 3A at 150 pounds. He captured the championship Saturday in the Southwest Prairie Conference Meet at Joliet Central.
“I’m probably not the strongest or the fastest or anything like that, but I have the right combination of all of those things,” Ferguson said. “My mentality is just doing whatever is necessary to get it done.”
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Last season as a sophomore, Ferguson finished 43-12 at 132. He was one victory away from a top-six performance at state. He also helped the Foxes to fourth place in the dual team state meet.
Ferguson, who started at safety on the football team in fall, has caught the attention of senior teammate Ben Alvarez for his dedication and desire to improve.
“He’s a very hard worker, in both football and wrestling,” said Alvarez, the Harvard football recruit who is the defending state champion at 220. “He is a good teammate who also shows up and tries his hardest.
“He’s a funny guy, but when he gets on the mat, he takes it very seriously. His technique and everything about him is very solid.”
Ferguson is also very close with junior Luke Zook, who finished third at 170 last season and also plays football. Alvarez and Zook captured conference titles Saturday.
“Every time he steps into the wrestling room, he gives 100%,” Zook said of Ferguson. “Other people watch him and I think they look up to him.
“When he wants something, he works very hard to get it.”
The 5-foot-10 Ferguson utilizes size, quickness, speed and excellent balance.
Playing in the secondary, Ferguson learned how to use his aggression while reading the game. In wrestling, he adapts to the moment, always eager to make his own imprint.
“I just want to push the pace,” he said. “Be heavy on guys and just make them uncomfortable and just do what I can to just get to my shots and other offensive moves.”
Growing up in a wrestling family meant wanting to step out of the shadows and make an impression.
His older brother, Cole, was a standout who began his college career at Oklahoma before transferring to Grand View in Des Moines, Iowa.
Jack gravitated toward the sport for personal reasons.
“When we were younger, my brother beat me up,” he said. “I’ve always been very competitive and wanted to get to this point.”
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With the start of the state series looming, Ferguson can draw on his experience of wrestling at the highest level.
“Wrestling all of these tournaments is just going to get me ready for the competition I have to face,” he said. “I also don’t doubt myself. I know what I’m capable of, so I just have to trust my technique and wrestle my match.”
For Ferguson, the sport embodies something essential and direct that has only grown even more immersive.
“I just love how if you win, it’s on you, and if you lose, it’s on you,” he said. “It’s all you out there. Winning these big matches, upsetting guys, that’s the adrenaline I get.”
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.