Union’s Jillian Worthen chasing third girls’ state wrestling title

Union’s Jillian Worthen is one of the state of Iowa’s top female wrestlers and is ranked No. 2 in the 125-pound weight class.

But, at one point in time, she didn’t think wrestling was for her — she even quit the sport when she was in her younger years.

“I wrestled a little bit when I was much younger and didn’t like it,” Worthen said. “My older brothers wrestled and at one of the tournaments I went to, around 10 years old, I saw some girls wrestle for the first time. I got hooked.”

Another memorable time from her childhood is getting a nickname, which many know her by — Monster.

Her nickname has nothing to do with wrestling but is a nod to her as a young child.

“I was a very rambunctious child and destroyed everything,” Worthen said. “I’ve had that name ever since I was a kid. I like it because it’s a pretty good nickname to have. When you hear that name, it’s kind of intimidating — that’s what I really like about it.”

On the wrestling mat, Worthen is a different kind of monster. A monster who has put in countless hours of hard work and usually is the first one in and last one out of the wrestling room.

“I’m really proud of my work ethic this year,” Worthen said. “I push myself harder and harder every day. I want to go in and get better. I go all out — every single go. I’m starting to transfer that to my competition.”

Dominant so far in her junior campaign, Worthen is undefeated this season and recently won the Cedar Rapids Prairie Girls’ Wrestling Tournament title at 125.

Being on the top of the podium is a common place of sorts for Worthen. She has won back-to-back state titles, one with the Iowa Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association (IWCOA) and one with the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union (IGHSAU).

Winning the state tournament her freshmen year of high school set Worthen up for a feat few rarely accomplish — becoming a four-time state champion.

“Winning state freshman year was special because that put me on track to win all four years,” Worthen said. “It’s a big deal for me. Each state title is special because it’s one step closer to my ultimate high school goal of being a four-time state champ.”

Worthen is quick to admit she wouldn’t be where she is today without the support from her coaches at Union — Kirk Crawford and John Simon.

Simon grapples with Worthen as her practice partner and has made a big impact on her development on the wrestling mat.

“John wrestles with me every day,” Worthen said. “He pushes me to limits I never thought I could go and does that every day. I keep moving forward and jumping levels, becoming the wrestler I want to be.”

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One of Worthen’s biggest fights is off the wrestling mat, however. She has taken a liking to advocating for more Division I programs, particularly in the state of Iowa.

Worthen has had conversations with staff members at the University of Northern Iowa about starting a women’s wrestling program. She knows first-hand the frustrations of wanting to compete in her home state at the collegiate Division I level.

“I think it’s important for girls to have more Division I opportunities, especially in Iowa,” Worthen said. “There are some really good girls in Iowa who might want to stay home and wrestle. To dream about one day wrestling for a team and having those opportunities must start with having a club or full-out program.”

Ensuring future generations of wrestlers in Iowa have high-quality programs to compete for is something Worthen doesn’t take lightly.

In fact, she strives to be a role model for many wrestlers — youth, middle and high school grapplers alike.

“It’s important to make connections with the younger kids and other wrestlers,” Worthen said. “Our wrestling community is a family. I want people in the sport to feel comfortable with the girls and teammates, so they are motivated and enthusiastic about wrestling.”

As a wrestler who was influenced by past generations of female wrestlers, Worthen knows there is a lot to be learned by being involved in the sport.

Lessons she’s learned herself.

“It’s not for everybody — it’s a tough sport,” Worthen said. “As long as you have people who care about you and push you, it makes it a whole lot easier. This sport helps you become a really good person after you are done wrestling. It’s hard but is so rewarding.

“What you put into wrestling is what you get — that’s what I love about it.”