Blanton's Blog 4

[Rocketwrestler171]

Alright, I figured that I’d start doing my blog again for this off-season, so I’ll start it right now and give my thoughts on how the season went, and what is up ahead.

First off, I just want to thank everyone that was there sitting up in the “C” sections with my community. The support was unbelievable, and I thank God that I was so fortunate to have as many people as I did there supporting me.

Now that the season is over, I feel great. This season was an awesome experience, and with the coaching staff we have in the room, I made leaps and bounds from day one to the state tournament. Having coach Tyrone Byrd and John Murphy in our room this year along w/ Coach Wojcik and Lesniak (they’ve been there all four years) gave me such a huge advantage compared to years past, because the knowledge in the room was completely new and fresh. I developed in a lot of areas I had been lacking in, and I look forward to working with them this off season to learn even more.

Overall, I think the season was really successful. I think our schedule at R-B is getting a lot tougher, so it was nice getting pushed throughout the year with solid competition. The state series was especially nice, because I was pushed just about every round from my first regional match to the state finals. I think that played a huge role in preparing me physically and mentally for the state tournament type matches, where everyone is solid, and will push for 6 minutes.

I’m really excited for the next couple of months, because there will be a lot of great tournaments I’m looking to compete in. I haven’t heard anything about it yet, but I plan on wrestling in the Illinois v. Indiana Duals, Senior Nationals, and the FILA Junior Nationals. I will be training hard this off season, and switching off between ISI and IzzyStyle Wrestling.

If anyone has any questions or wants to know about anything else, just let me know. Thanks a lot, and let me know what you think!
Jordan Blanton

[ZBCOACH]

I would like to congradulate you on a absolutely great high school career and wish you the best of luck at Illinois. Now I have to find something to look foward to when we go to the Round Lake triple duals. It's been great watching you the last few years and hopefully the other young men wrestling have seen how to handle themselves with the same class as you demonstrate.

I would just like to hear some of your thoughs about college wrestling. Maybe what your looking foward to as you prepare for college wrestling and the way your fast paced style will switch over to a seemingly slower pace of the college level.

[Luvwrestling]

Thanks for sharing with us. And more importantly, for your oustanding performance through the years of your wrestling career. It has been our good fortune to watch such a fine young man through the years. Much continued success to you in the off season and at Illinois.

[TheRoc]

JORDAN JORDAN YOUR MY MAN IF YOU CANT DO IT NO ONE CAN... haha jordan whatsup man... im glad to have won a state championship this year w/ you and i want to thank you for helping me achieve my goals and pushing me in the wrestling room over at izzys... thanks a lot and good luck at u of i... i'll def see you the next 4-5 years...

[agdfan]

Jordan...thanks so much for giving us the pleasure of watching such talent. Do you remember what you said to me the first time we met? It was at a FS tournament in the Chicago area somewhere, probably OPRF. Well, tables are turned now and guess who's looking up to who? You make Illinois proud, in more ways than just your wrestling. You are a great young man, with many good things to come.

Sincerely,
Gail Rush

[wrestlersdad]

Congrats....on a great season and great career.

Good luck at U of I, do you plan to red-shirt your first year?

What will you be studying? Journalism maybe?

Look forward to seeing you wrestle in the off-season.

[IHSAWrestleFan]

Hey Jordan, check your PM please.

[HardCore]

Congrats on your 3rd state title! It has been great fun to watch you develop over the past 4 years! You are an incredible wrestler and appear to be a very classy young man!! I wish you the best of luck in the future and can't wait to see you on the college mats!!!

[WashingtonWrestler135]

Congrats On Ur 3rd Title....you Are Amazing To Watch

[normster]

Jordan,

Let me just say what a pleasure it's been to watch you wrestle these past few years. You have been the definition of class and sportsmanship, not to mention an example of relentless work. My son is a sophomore wrestler at Prairie Ridge, and you have been an inspiration to him.

Between last year's Benefiel match and this year's Spangler match (the best high school match I've ever seen) you have provided the wrestling community something to be truely thankful for. You will be missed here in McHenry County, but I know you'll do great things for the Univ of Illinois. And who knows, maybe even a Benefiel rematch!

Thanks again. The very best of luck to you. See you under the college lights!

Norm Vinton
Crystal Lake