Matt Levins - The Hawk Eye/ Ryan Walrath - Photo Credit
J Davis pondered long and hard about where he wanted to continue his wrestling career in college.
Davis wasn’t taking anything for granted. He wanted to make sure wherever he goes will be the right fit, athletically and academically.
The Notre Dame High School senior made his decision over the weekend, choosing Central College, an NCAA Division III school in Pella.
For Davis, Central College checked off every one of his boxes and it felt the most comfortable to him.
“I had a really good connection with the coach (Landon Williams),” Davis said. “I like what his ideas were for me and what he thinks I’m capable of doing at Central. Plus, two of my former teammates are on the wrestling team at Central, so that was a big help.”
Davis, the Class 2A 126-pound state champion for Notre Dame-West Burlington/Danville this year, will join former ND-WB/Danville standouts Sam West and Carter West on the Dutch team. Sam West will be a senior next season, while Carter West will be a sophomore.
Davis and Carter West were practice partners with the Nikes, while Sam West is someone Davis has looked up to for years.
“I’ve known Sam since I was a little kid,” Davis said. “When he was younger people would say he’s not the best wrestler, but he could always compete and work hard. Now he is doing really well in college. They are both doing really well at Central. They have a really good workout program there and they’ve both gotten a lot bigger and stronger.”
Davis, after finishing fourth at state as a junior, made his way to the top of the podium as a senior. After losing to eventual 132-pound state champion Jace Hedeman of Union at the Independence Tournament, Davis made the descent to 126, winning his last 15 matches on his way to a state title. He finished with a 50-4 record, with all four losses coming against state placewinners.
Davis was 190-22 for his career. He was a four-time state qualifier, finishing seventh as a freshman before taking fourth and first the last two seasons.
Davis helped the Nikes win Class 2A state team titles as a freshman and senior.
Davis said one of the biggest adjustments to the college level will be riding time. That extra point can mean the difference between winning and losing in a tight match.
“The biggest difference is in high school, when you come up to your feet most guys are just going to let you out,” Davis said. “In college they are going to try to take you back to the mat. I am going to work really hard this summer on bottom and getting out and riding on top.”
Davis, who plans to major in business, said having the West brothers on the team will help him make a quicker adjustment to college life. Time management will be critical with classes, homework, practices and meets.
“That will be helpful so they can tell me what time I need to be studying and things like that. Just kind of guide me,” Davis said. “I want to make sure I am doing all the right things.”
Davis knows the adjustment to college wrestling will take some time, but he already is putting a plan of action to work.
“First off, I want to do what I do best,” Davis said. “Second, I nee to be open to any change in my style that the coaches want to make and just be open to learning. That’s what college wrestling is all about.”