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Freshman Focus: Garrett Joles
10/15/2018 3:34:00 PM | Wrestling
As the Gopher wrestling season nears and practice has begun, Gophersports.com will bring in the 2018 freshmen class and get to know them as they begin their wrestling careers at the University of Minnesota. Today we sat down with Garrett Joles. A Boyceville, Wis., native, Joles was a two-time Wisconsin State Champion and two-time state runner-up. He was awarded All-American honors from USA Wrestling and the NHSCA and was a four-time Wrestling All-State Academic award winner.
Gopher Sports: Tell us about your decision to move to Minnesota and join the Gophers.
GJ: I decided to become a Gopher because I knew that the support, knowledge and guidance of the Minnesota coaches were second to none. I knew that I wouldn't be able to find other coaches that were as down to earth as the coaches here. The academic and athletic support provided by the University of Minnesota is amazing and provides me with many opportunities to succeed, not only as an athlete but as a student. After some thinking it was obvious that Minnesota was the way to go.
GS: You have wrestled in some big matches, how do you mentally prepare yourself for those matches?
GJ: Prior to big matches I realize how much I enjoy the challenge and am excited to test myself. Big matches are what I look forward to the most and are what make the sport exciting for me. I mentally prepare for these matches by telling myself to be confident in myself and of my will. I smile and enjoy the moment. This helps me kill the nerves and enjoy the moment.
GS: Do you have any pre match routines?
GJ: I'm not a huge fan of music, or haven't been in the past anyway. In the past I usually just throw on my head gear, hit my head gear a few times, just zone in, think of a game plan and what scores I am going to work for during the match.
GS: What goes into winning a state championship that others might not see?
GJ: By loving the sport and making wrestling more of a fun activity, more so than making it a job. Also by surrounding yourself with the right people who want the best for you, and will push you to become the best you are capable of. Many people probably don't see this.
GS: Describe your style of wrestling?
GJ: I would describe my style of wrestling as relaxed and explosive.
GS: What are you expectations this season?
GJ: My main goal is to better my knowledge in wrestling, improve my skills on the mat and to get stronger.
GS: After you finish your career with the Gophers, what would you have liked to have accomplished?
GJ: In the end I want to be an NCAA Champion and be on a NCAA Championship team. Simple as that.
GS: What do you like to do off the wrestling mat?
GJ: Aside from wrestling, I like to fish during the summer and hunt during the fall. Every week in the fall I usually try to run home so I can bow hunt and spend time with my family. I also enjoy watching my younger brother play baseball during the summer and fall.
GS: What has your experience with the team been like so far?
GJ: After being at the University of Minnesota I have come to the conclusion that life here is as easy as it was at home. The practices have challenged me but have also given me something to look forward to every day. They are a lot of fun and have brought me closer to my coaches and teammates. Life here is as easy as it would be if I were still at home because I am surrounded by my best friends and my wrestling family, which is something that I am very glad to have and keeps me from being homesick.
GS: How did you start wrestling?
GJ: I started wrestling at the age of three. My dad was in charge of the youth wrestling program at the time so he always brought me with and I have been involved in wrestling ever since.
GS: What is your favorite wrestling memory?
GJ: My favorite wrestling memory was winning my first state championship my junior year, just after watching two of my teammates win their state championship matches only moments before I stepped on the mat. The positive energy and excitement that I got while watching my teammates succeed transferred over into my match and I had one of most dominating performances that I had ever had. This match really helped me realize how much I loved the sport of wrestling. It was truly something special sharing that moment with two of my other teammates.
GS: When did you decide or realize that you could become a collegiate wrestler?
GJ: My sophomore year I lost my state finals match in the final seconds of the match. I was devastated and the loss left me extremely hungry to get better. Later that spring I quit baseball and decided to only train for wrestling. At that point I knew that wrestling was the sport I wanted to give my all in.
GS: If you were to compete in a different sport, what sport would that be and why?
GJ: If I were to compete in a different sport I would choose baseball because I played it in high school and I really enjoyed it, and it is a pretty easy going sport compared to wrestling.
Gopher Sports: Tell us about your decision to move to Minnesota and join the Gophers.
GJ: I decided to become a Gopher because I knew that the support, knowledge and guidance of the Minnesota coaches were second to none. I knew that I wouldn't be able to find other coaches that were as down to earth as the coaches here. The academic and athletic support provided by the University of Minnesota is amazing and provides me with many opportunities to succeed, not only as an athlete but as a student. After some thinking it was obvious that Minnesota was the way to go.
GS: You have wrestled in some big matches, how do you mentally prepare yourself for those matches?
GJ: Prior to big matches I realize how much I enjoy the challenge and am excited to test myself. Big matches are what I look forward to the most and are what make the sport exciting for me. I mentally prepare for these matches by telling myself to be confident in myself and of my will. I smile and enjoy the moment. This helps me kill the nerves and enjoy the moment.
GS: Do you have any pre match routines?
GJ: I'm not a huge fan of music, or haven't been in the past anyway. In the past I usually just throw on my head gear, hit my head gear a few times, just zone in, think of a game plan and what scores I am going to work for during the match.
GS: What goes into winning a state championship that others might not see?
GJ: By loving the sport and making wrestling more of a fun activity, more so than making it a job. Also by surrounding yourself with the right people who want the best for you, and will push you to become the best you are capable of. Many people probably don't see this.
GS: Describe your style of wrestling?
GJ: I would describe my style of wrestling as relaxed and explosive.
GS: What are you expectations this season?
GJ: My main goal is to better my knowledge in wrestling, improve my skills on the mat and to get stronger.
GS: After you finish your career with the Gophers, what would you have liked to have accomplished?
GJ: In the end I want to be an NCAA Champion and be on a NCAA Championship team. Simple as that.
GS: What do you like to do off the wrestling mat?
GJ: Aside from wrestling, I like to fish during the summer and hunt during the fall. Every week in the fall I usually try to run home so I can bow hunt and spend time with my family. I also enjoy watching my younger brother play baseball during the summer and fall.
GS: What has your experience with the team been like so far?
GJ: After being at the University of Minnesota I have come to the conclusion that life here is as easy as it was at home. The practices have challenged me but have also given me something to look forward to every day. They are a lot of fun and have brought me closer to my coaches and teammates. Life here is as easy as it would be if I were still at home because I am surrounded by my best friends and my wrestling family, which is something that I am very glad to have and keeps me from being homesick.
GS: How did you start wrestling?
GJ: I started wrestling at the age of three. My dad was in charge of the youth wrestling program at the time so he always brought me with and I have been involved in wrestling ever since.
GS: What is your favorite wrestling memory?
GJ: My favorite wrestling memory was winning my first state championship my junior year, just after watching two of my teammates win their state championship matches only moments before I stepped on the mat. The positive energy and excitement that I got while watching my teammates succeed transferred over into my match and I had one of most dominating performances that I had ever had. This match really helped me realize how much I loved the sport of wrestling. It was truly something special sharing that moment with two of my other teammates.
GS: When did you decide or realize that you could become a collegiate wrestler?
GJ: My sophomore year I lost my state finals match in the final seconds of the match. I was devastated and the loss left me extremely hungry to get better. Later that spring I quit baseball and decided to only train for wrestling. At that point I knew that wrestling was the sport I wanted to give my all in.
GS: If you were to compete in a different sport, what sport would that be and why?
GJ: If I were to compete in a different sport I would choose baseball because I played it in high school and I really enjoyed it, and it is a pretty easy going sport compared to wrestling.
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