Allen East’s Jordan Neal (top) hold his opponent Dyllan Fink from St. Mary’s Memorial (bottom) on Saturday at Lima Senior’s Spartan Invitational.
Jackelyn Johnson | The Lima News
HARROD – Allen East freshman Jordan Neal strives to be the best that he can be.
In eighth grade, Neal finished in the runner-up spot at the middle school state wrestling tournament. In seventh grade, Neal placed sixth at the state tournament.
Neal’s dominance in wrestling has carried over to the next level.
At this past Saturday’s Spartan Wrestling Invitational at Lima Senior, Neal recorded four pins and one tech fall in his five matches, en route to winning the title in the 144-pound weight class.
After Saturday’s stellar performance, Neal is 20-1 on the season. His only loss was to Archbold’s Brodie Dominique in the championship match (144) at the Defiance Tri-State Border War on Dec. 29.
Last season, Dominique won the Division III state title in the 144-pound weight class.
At the Spartan Wrestling Invitational, Allen East placed fifth in a field of 20 teams.
Along with Neal’s title at 144, teammates Brogan Paxson (215) and Kyden Culbertson (285) won titles this past Saturday. Gatchell (157) was runner-up in his weight class for the Mustangs.
“Three champions today and a runner-up. … So, not too bad,” longtime Allen East coach Mike Abbey said. “I’ve got a couple of injured guys too.
“I’m so proud of the way they come in and put in the work. It’s a little different in our room this year. I lost a lot of my upperclassmen, but these guys are doing a great job. It’s still January, so we’re still making our way. Everything is just a stepping stone. We’re just working for league, sectionals, districts and state.”
Neal said he is confident in his abilities.
“I know what I’m capable of,” Neal said. “I just go out and do my stuff, and don’t focus on anything else that is going on. I just work on my stuff and try to get better.”
Like many Allen East wrestlers, Neal was introduced to the sport at an early age.
“I started wrestling when I was five. I came home one day and said, ‘Hey Mom, I want to wrestle’,” Neal said with a grin. “I’ve been doing it ever since.”
Abbey points to Neal’s commitment to the sport as a key component to his success.
“He was a state runner-up last year in junior high. He’s been with us since he was a little guy, and all the way through the program,” Abbey said. “It makes me proud. He works a little bit on the side (in a wrestling club), but that’s what I want him to do. I can’t teach him everything. I don’t try to. I’m a basics guy. I always say that I want them to be in great shape. I want them to be aggressive. And I want them to have great basics. If you can do all of that, you’re going to be a pretty solid wrestler; and Jordan is there.”
Neal said that he benefits the most from the intense competition in the Allen East practice room.
Neal’s main Allen East drilling partner is senior Trenton (T.J.) Gatchell, who competes in the 157-pound weight class. Last season, Gatchell was a Division III state qualifier in the 165-pound weight class.
“It (the wrestling room) is very tough,” Neal said. “I’ve got T.J. (Gatchell) as a drill partner. We really go at it. We go in every day and try to make each other better. Hopefully, at the end of the season – in March – we’re up there (on the awards podium at the state tournament).
“I’m wrestling a bigger kid (Gatchell) at practice, and I’m taking him down. If I can do that against him, then why couldn’t I do it against a kid in my weight class? … That’s how I look at it.”
Added Abbey about Neal, “He’s been around for quite a while. He’s been at all the different levels. I’m proud of him. He’s a smart kid too. We’re hoping for the best for him.”
Neal has some lofty personal goals.
“I want to be at the top of the (awards) podium come March (at the Division III state tournament),” Neal said. “That’s my main motivation – to be the only (Allen East) freshman to do it (win a state title). That would be great.”
Allen East graduated several key wrestlers from last year’s team, including 2023 Division III state champion Eli Criblez (285-pound weight class).
“I have four or five guys who could be wrestling at state,” Abbey said. “So, we’ll see what happens. Like I tell the guys, ‘We have a great room. Iron sharpens iron. We have to be that way’.”
