From tough scrapper to fine Benilde wrestler

It was a kindergarten fight that spurred Benilde-St. Margaret's junior Jarred Oftedahl to some pretty lofty heights in wrestling.

Oftedahl had a reputation as a scrapper in his first year in school. It was just such a scrap that put him on his current path.

"One of the kids I got into a fight with, his dad told me I should go into wrestling," Oftedahl said. "I was playing hockey, but I liked wrestling so much that I gave up hockey after a couple of years because I wanted to wrestle."

The runner-up in Class 2A at 103 pounds last year, Oftedahl is undefeated this year while wrestling primarily at 113 pounds.

Staff writer Jim Paulsen talked with Oftedahl, who is as calm off the mat as he is determined on it.

Q You started the season ranked No. 1 in Class 2A at 106 pounds. Now, you're No. 3 at 113. What does that mean to you?

A I feel like it's not that important. I look at [the rankings], but they're not always right.

A Yeah, sometimes. It helps.

Q Why the move from 106 pounds to 113 pounds?

A We have a seventh-grader on our team that is good. Our team isn't strong enough to keep me at 106 during the regular season. I plan on going down to 106 for the section meet.

Q How difficult is it to cut weight?

A Well, I'm naturally smaller, so it's not that hard. To get to 113, I just have to cut maybe 2 or 3 pounds.

A I eat normally, but I watch what I eat on the last two days before a meet.

Q Do other wrestlers get jealous that it's easy for you to cut?

A Sometimes I hear "Oh, Jarred doesn't have to cut" and things like that. It's usually pretty funny.

Q Describe your style on the mat

A I'm kind of unorthodox. I wrestle a little differently than most people. I make up a lot of my own moves. Sometimes they just come to me.

A Sometimes in practice, I'll just go for something and it will work and I'll say, "Wow, that was kind of cool." Then I'll go to my coach and show him and ask, "Will this work in a match?"

Q Let's be honest: Wrestling is not the highest-profile sport at Benilde-St. Margaret's. How do you feel about that?

A I don't mind it. Because all the other sports get more attention, I have less pressure on me.

Q Are your fellow students aware of what you're doing?

A Most people know. A lot of people talk to me about it. Hockey players ask me about it a lot. I've been interviewed by the school newspaper a couple of times.

A I think it's the coaching and my natural tenacity. The fact that I have that tenacity makes it easier. I can't stand losing.

Q You're 18-0 so far this season. Are you surprised?

A No, not really. ... I just go out and do what I have to do.

Q What is your biggest sacrifice during the season?