Improving in any sport can happen many different ways.
An athlete can improve his or her speed, get stronger or even – depending on the sport they’re in -- become a little more technically prepared.
But the most important thing may be being mentally prepared and thinking positive.
For Fred T. Foard High senior Jacob Harper, being better prepared for the mental part of his wrestling matches has made him a better wrestler, he says.
“After my sophomore season, we learned about the fundamentals and training we needed to go along with the basics and we started winning,” Harper said. “Then came the mental aspect that we all needed.
“(Fred T. Foard head) coach (Mike Carey) taught us that we were better than our opponent and that we could be good, as long as we have the right mindset.”
Harper will put that formula to use tonight at 7 p.m. when the Tigers (24-1, 5-0 Northwestern 3A-4A) travel to St. Stephens (20-3, 3-0) for a match that will give the winner the inside track for the Northwestern 3A-4A title.
Foard has been steadily improving under Carey and is now in position to challenge for a league title and perhaps even a state 3A title.
Two years ago, the Tigers finished 17-13. Last year, they went 26-7. This year, they are ranked No. 5 in the state in 3A by RetroRankings, a website that follows wrestling statewide.
“When Coach Carey came in at the beginning of my sophomore year, he brought a bunch of new ideas that really helped us,” Harper said. “He taught us how to take care of the basic things and said that the rest would come later and that’s what we did most of that year.”
Harper finished 25-17 in the 135-pound class as a sophomore before losing in the regional match.
As a junior, Harper finished 26-7 and was fifth in the state 3A tournament at 140 pounds.
Harper’s now 5-foot-6 and wrestles at 145 pounds, where he’s 29-1 with 13 of those victories by pin. He is ranked third in the state 3A at the 145-pound weight class.
“I think the biggest reason for my success and the team’s is the mindset that we’ve learned,” Harper said. “As long as we go out there and give it our all, good things will happen and we’re seeing that.”
Carey couldn’t be happier with the way Harper has progressed.
“When I started at Foard, Jacob was already a solid wrestler, but really couldn’t do any moves,” Carey said. “He’s really put the time in to get better since then, going to camps and went through off season training, so he’s paid the price and now he’s cashing in on some of the success.”
Harper has his eyes set on winning a state title – not just for individual satisfaction but to help the Tigers take their shot at a team championship.
“Jacob finished fifth last year,” Carey said. “This year he has his sights set on the top prize, and whether or not he gets there remains to be seen.
“But he’s done what he needs to do to be the best.”
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