Beets' choice to continue wrestling pays off

CEDAR FALLS - Jarion Beets is a national qualifier, but the University of Northern Iowa red-shirt junior almost chose to leave wrestling behind as a prep.

A disappointing finish to his career at Cedar Rapids Kennedy, where he was a two-time state medalist, left Beets unsure bout whether he'd continue wrestling. It's a good thing he did.

Beets won the 174-pound title at the West Regional and will compete in the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships, beginning Thursday at the Qwest Center in Omaha, Neb.

Beets placed sixth and eighth at state for the Cougars as a sophomore and junior. He didn't place as a senior. The conclusion left him uncertain about a future in the sport.

“I didn't know if it was something I'd want to pursue in college,” Beets said. “When I started to think a little more about it I thought I should try to redeem myself in college.”

Beets wrestled sparingly until his sophomore year in high school, according to Kennedy Coach Brent Paulson. UNI Coach Brad Penrith said he knew Beets had talent, but he was “definitely raw” in his ability when he started with the Panthers.

“He's gotten better and better every year,” Penrith said. “That's what you want to see.”

The improvement might be a product of a strong work ethic. Penrith said Beets is a hard worker in the practice room and that carries over into the classroom where Beets is a criminology major with aspirations of working for the federal Bureau of Investigations in the future.

“He does the right things,” Penrith said. “If kids do the right things then good things happen.”

Beets said it's a delicate balance to be able to produce at the collegiate level athletically and academically. He manages.

“If you don't have strong work ethic and you're not motivated you won't be able to do those things that you need to strive for success on the mat and in the classroom.”

That drive has helped him make big strides during this season as well. Beets, encouraged to become more offensive and aggressive by Penrith, entered the regional seeded third and won. He avenged a loss to Utah Valley's Brad Darrington, winning 10-3 in the semifinals of the qualifying tournament. It was a shining example of learning from your losses, and why those bumps in the road stand out to him more than the smooth path top victory.

“A lot of my losses are the ones that stand out to me the most,” Beets said. “In the wins, you see all your strengths. In your losses, you see what you need to do better. That's what you need to be looking at.”

What people can see is a quick and powerful wrestler. He's solid on his feet and has been focused on improving the top position, knowing earning riding time can be a major benefit.

“He's very athletic, he's got good explosion and he is strong,” Penrith said. “All of those combined, he can compete with the best of them.”

Beets has reached the national tournament for the first time. He has posted a 19-9 record and faces Oklahoma's Jeff James (22-10) in a pigtail match. The winner wrestles fifth-seed Scott Glasser of Minnesota.

“My goal is to be an All-American,” said Beets, who has a 40-25 career mark. “I would definitely be satisfied with that. I don't see why I wouldn't be able to.”

Staying offensive and using his athleticism, wrestling his type of match will be key to reach the podium. Penrith has confidence that is an attainable goal.

“It's not going to be easy,” Penrith said. “If he goes in and his style he can do it.”

No matter how the NCAA tournament ends, Beets said he is glad he decided to wrestle at UNI.

“Definitely, it's opened up a lot of different options for me,” Beets said. “It's made me a better, stronger person.”