Jase and Jackson Jaspers scrap in wrestling practice, then rack up wins for Mount Vernon

IOWA CITY — Jase and Jackson Jaspers are in their second season as teammates, but they have wrestled together for a long time.

From impromptu living room scraps to their first heated exchange that forced Mount Vernon Coach Vance Light to separate them during Friday’s practice, they have enjoyed competing alongside each other.

“I’ve always looked up to him from a young age,” Jase said about his older brother. “Just to get to be on the same team with him is great and have him as a part is even better. Him helping me or me helping him get better every day is a good feeling.”

The sentiment is mutual for Jackson, who noted the last varsity season as teammates is a little bittersweet.

“We’re partners for the first time,” Jackson said. “Scrapping around with him has been lots of fun.”

Both went unbeaten and helped the Class 2A second-ranked Mustangs win the Clyde Bean Duals Saturday at Iowa City High. Mount Vernon went 4-0 in pool competition and defeated 3A No. 7 Dubuque Hempstead, 47-14, in the finals.

“We’re wrestling pretty well,” Light said about the Mustangs. “We’ve beat some good teams. We’ve got a ways to go.”

The Jaspers brothers play a big factor into Mount Vernon’s success in duals and individual tournaments. Jase, a sophomore who was the program’s first freshman state finalist since four-time state champion Greg Randall (1979-82), is ranked second at 138. Jackson, a senior rated second at 144, is attempting to be the Mustangs’ second four-time state medalist since — you guessed it — Randall.

Both had notable wins in the Mustangs’ 46-25 win over City High. Jase scored an escape in the last three seconds for a 4-3 decision over No. 3 Kael Kurtz. Jackson scored a takedown in sudden victory to top No. 10 Jake Mitchell. Jase added a technical fall and Jackson posted a pin against Hempstead.

“They’re two good kids,” Light said. “They’re good all-around. They’re pretty good in school also.

“They bring some intensity. Kids like to follow them. They like to be competitive.”

Jase conceded that Jackson handed him some whippings at home as they grew up. Those experiences helped make him a better wrestler.

“I always got killed,” Jase said. “Every day, I would come back for more.”

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Jackson echoed his brother’s comment, mentioning Jase’s improvement over the years. Time has shrunk the gap.

“Whooping is an understatement,” Jackson said with a laugh. “I would just throw him around. I think it got to a point where he took it way more seriously and it’s gotten a lot closer since then.”

Their feistiness emerged Friday. Jase became a little more physical and Jackson had enough of it. The confrontation is common in practices, especially among siblings. The two are each other’s biggest motivators and supporters.

“I’m pretty chill about it,” Jackson said. “He can get physical but I shrug it off. The other day I just had enough.”

Jase added, “We were throwing hands, but then it’s getting in the same car (after practice) and go home together.”

Jase said he has made huge gains in the neutral position thanks to a dedicated offseason. He trained with a local club and wrestled at Junior Nationals in Fargo, N.D.

“I got some experience,” Jase said. “Going through the summer, those extra workouts really helped me.”

Jackson placed fifth at state last year, adding to his fourth-place finish as a sophomore and seventh as a freshman. He pinned Clear Creek Amana’s Ryker Jones during the third round Saturday to set Mount Vernon’s career pins record. With the fall in the finals, he has 88 all-time, breaking Trey Ryan’s old mark of 86. Jackson is also in contention of Ryan’s career wins mark of 157.

“I try not to look at that stuff but anyone who says they don’t is lying, for the most part,” Jackson said. “There are a lot of great wrestlers who went to Mount Vernon. To think I’m up there with them is pretty cool.”

Mount Vernon also recorded win over Cedar Rapids Kennedy (53-24), Muscatine (69-3) and CCA (44-22) Saturday.

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