Philip Jacobs brings team-first mentality to Linn-Mar boys wrestling lineup

MARION – Linn-Mar’s Philip Jacobs applies a team mentality to an individual sport.

As a freshman, Jacobs was supposed to be a spectator at the Mississippi Valley Conference Super Meet, serving as a backup 152-pounder that year. When the Lions’ starting 170-pounder became sick before weigh-ins, Jacobs was asked to fill in at a higher weight.

He displayed his selfless attitude, accepting the challenge and calling his dad to drive his singlet to Waterloo West. Jacobs finished third and scored 19 team points, the margin of victory for the Lions team title.

“He’s never questioned it,” Linn-Mar co-head coach Beau Westpfahl said. “He’s always been that person. He’s done whatever we’ve asked of him. He’s like, ‘Yep. I’m in. Let’s do it.’”

Jacobs continues to do what is best for the team, moving up to 190 for his senior season. He went 5-0 and helped host Linn-Mar claim the team title at the Lions Duals Saturday. The Class 3A 11th-ranked Lions swept through the field, closing with wins over 2A No. 14 Mount Vernon and 3A No. 6 Western Dubuque.

“My record doesn't really show it, but I've wrestled pretty good so far,” said Jacobs, who improved to 14-5 this season. “I made the decision to go up to 190 for this season to help both me and my team, because physically it helps me to get compete better and allows more of our better guys in the lineup for our team.”

Jacobs causes opponents fits with an unorthodox ability and penchant for big moves, like the one he hit for a 37-second pin against the Mustangs. He finished Saturday with two pins and a technical fall, outscoring three foes, 30-1. His other two wins were forfeits.

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“He’s got a unique style,” Westpfahl said. “Unless you’ve felt it, it’s hard to wrestle him. He doesn’t have that standard other guys do. As frustrating as it can be sometimes, it also causes a lot of fits for a lot of opponents. He’s in every single match no matter who he’s wrestling.”

Jacobs has incorporated more fundamentals, making him more of a complete wrestler. The basics also helps create more chances to hit funky maneuvers as well. He crafted his technique from freestyle and Greco-Roman in the spring and summer.

“I had grown up wrestling that, too, so I know I have really good hip control and knowing where my body is, even if I'm in air,” Jacobs said. “Knowing so many positions because I've had so many good coaches and good wrestlers through the years, I faced so many different styles that I merged them all into one.

“I’ve always been a little funky. I think it developed more in high school.”

Jacobs is more of a 175-pounder by trade, placing seventh at state at that weight last year. He is a small 190-pounder, weighing in about 183 Saturday. He still bumped up a class to solidify the Lions lineup. Not only does he want to win individually but he’s vested in the team’s success.

“It’s my senior year and I want to go to State Duals,” Jacobs said. “I'm able to wrestle anywhere. My style can change if need be. I've already had some competition at 190 and I've beaten some of these guys, like I've done today. For the team, getting our best guys in the lineup, if it means I go up la weight class, that's fine by me.”

Linn-Mar defeated Western Dubuque for the second time in three days, posting a 62-12 win in the final round. The Lions beat runner-up Mount Vernon, 54-20. Linn-Mar also beat Clear Creek Amana (51-23), Cedar Rapids Xavier (51-23) and Waterloo (Ill.) High School (64-16) in pool competition.

Mount Vernon, Western Dubuque and CCA each went 3-2. The Mustangs defeated Linn-Mar’s junior varsity (47-21), LeMars (57-24) and the Clippers (40-28).

CCA received consecutive wins in the last two matches from Dylan Schrock (215) and heavyweight Kieran Owings to top Xavier and Western Dubuque. Schrock and Owings had back-to-back pins in a 35-24 win over the Saints. Schrock recorded a decision and Owings added another pin in a 39-28 victory over the Bobcats.

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