Attending college is an accomplishment itself, but choosing to be an athlete on top of that is extraordinary. That is a reality for Jared Doxey, recent WPS graduate and wrestling standout. This past season, Jared accomplished a feat that no one else in Nebraska state wrestling history has managed, back to back wrestling state championships. When asked what wrestling means to him, he simply replied “It means I get to do what I love and put in hard work.”
Before each match, Jared shares that he immerses himself in the atmosphere of the wrestling event, stays hydrated, and believes in the work he has put in. This pre-match ritual proved successful as Jared went undefeated this season and holds twenty school records related to wrestling. To Jared, being a collegiate wrestler “means everything for being on University of Nebraska Kearney’s wrestling team, (I am) blessed to have an opportunity to continue what I love.”
This upcoming season, Jared states that he understands the level of wrestlers in the room so he plans to soak it all in, learn, and become the best wrestler he can be. To achieve this he will “go hard in the off season.” There is no doubt that Jared’s hard work will pay off, if his high school career is any indication. Jared is no stranger to overcoming adversity in his athletic endeavors. This season he suffered a dislocated thumb, but through the guidance of his coach, who told him to believe in himself and to have confidence, he pulled through.
Jared wants younger athletes to know they should “stay confident in your craft, dedicate yourself, and have fun. Losing sucks, but it only makes you better.” Advice like that will make any athlete want to work hard and achieve their goals. Jared said that through attending WPS he felt that school pride is strong, but “I can’t really say (it’s just) school pride because everyone including the community gives so much for the younger generation, it is awesome.”