FRANCONIA >> Jarret Niedosik is setting his goals high for 2020.
“My goal is the same as everyone – to make it to states,” he starts out. “But my goal is to get on the podium, because it’s something that not a lot of people think I can do, and I love being that underdog. I love people telling me I can’t do stuff.”
Niedosik doesn’t let adversity get in his way.
The senior is in the midst of a tremendous season for the Knights, coming off a year hampered by injury.
“Last year I ended on a little bit of a sour note,” he said, despite going 30-10 with a trip to regionals. “I tore my labrum before the season started.
“I decided to go through the season but at the end, it was giving out and just wasn’t really there.”
Niedosik has been healthy this year for the most part, and has worked his way to a 20-3 record.
On Saturday at The Big Red Duals, the senior won by fall in his match at 170 pounds, pinning Mahman Vick of Central Dauphin in 3 minutes, 11 seconds.
The Knights would fall 62-9 in the quarterfinal match, but Niedosik was a bright spot.
“I was just trying to loosen up. I felt pretty good,” he said. “Both of my ankles are banged up so I’m just trying to stay healthy.”
Battling Through It
Despite being a bit dinged, the senior is full-steam ahead towards a bigger horizon.
“I just go out there and try to wrestle my hardest and whatever happens happens,” he said. “I know that this is all practice for the postseason and that’s what the goal is.
“Anyone can be beaten on any given day so I’m not really too hard on myself with losses. I know everyone loses so I just try to get ready for postseason.”
Wyatt Miller chipped in with a 4-0 decision at 120 pounds for the Knights.
Said Niedosik of The Big Red Duals: “I like it a lot because there’s definitely some good competition but if you’re banged up like I am, it’s nice to get some tune-up matches in there too. It’s a good mix.”
Preparation
Niedosik, who wrestles at 170 and 182, used to do research on opponents leading up to a particular match but has changed that up a bit.
“I actually don’t look up opponents anymore because it just screws with me mentally,” he says with a smile. “I like to go out there and wrestle my game because I know — 90 percent of the time — if I’m at my best, I’ll get the win.”
He is tearing through the regular season with lofty goals for the postseason pulling him along. Asked how much his injury of a year ago motivated him for senior year, Niedosik says: “a heck of a lot,” and “my dad pushing me every day, asking ‘did you work out yet? Did you work out yet?’ It moves me to the next level.”
Other Locals
There were four local squads competing at The Big Red Duals.
Wissahickon fell to Pennsbury 63-10; host Souderton Area lost to Downingtown East 72-9; and, in the most tightly-contested match of the quarters, Northest edged Plymouth-Whitemarsh 37-35. The Knights, Trojans, Big Red, and Colonials would all head to wrestlebacks.
Later on in the evening, the semifinals would pit Saucon Valley against Central Bucks East, and Downingtown East against Central Dauphin.
