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Working his way to the top A little hard work and determination has been the hallmark of Jed Pennell�s success at Oregon State By Kris Henry Jed Pennell has always been more of a doer than a dreamer. The former Illinois Valley wrestler has had a history of setting the bar high, then outworking all others to achieve that goal. Being a valedictorian, three-time Class 3A state champion in wrestling and youth of the year honoree by the Josephine County Boys and Girls Club didn�t come without a little sweat and determination. So it�s of no surprise that Pennell has already struck gold as a vital member of the Oregon State wrestling team. The redshirt freshman has been a solid starter at 165 pounds for the 13th-ranked Beavers, sporting a 14-7 record after a recent string of seven wins in 10 matches. Pennell posted the biggest win of his OSU career last week with a 7-6 overtime decision over fourth-ranked Steve Blackford from Arizona State. Blackford was named the Pac-10 Conference�s wrestler of the year in 2000 and placed third in the NCAA meet. "That was a big one," says Pennell. The 19-year-old opened a 6-3 lead before Blackford rallied in the last 30 seconds with an escape and quick takedown. Unfazed, Pennell kept Blackford from scoring in the first overtime period then chose the down position for the second overtime. Needing to escape in the 30-second period, Pennell did just that after a restart with 12 seconds remaining. He managed to slip his legs free and get to his feet, then finally spin away from Blackford with two seconds left on the clock. "I was a little worried because I knew it was getting to the last few seconds," Pennell said following the Jan. 26 match. "I was up and I could feel him on my head, so I just tucked my head and drove forward." The win was his second in five overtime matches this season. "Traditionally I won a lot of overtimes in high school," says Pennell. "That was my thing, being in condition and wearing them down." Realistically, Pennell shouldn�t have needed the extra session against Blackford. But that�s what you get with a first-year performer, more often without the successful ending. "He did a lot of good things and then he did a couple there at the end that weren�t so good," says Oregon State coach Joe Wells. "Freshmen can wow you and surprise you, and they can let you down too. Jed�s more consistent with his performance week to week. And that�s really what you�re looking for is a guy who can perform regardless of the circumstances or pressure." It�s also a plus to have a self-starter such as Pennell, who sat out last season but wasn�t willing to settle for anything less than a starting spot in the 2000-01 campaign. Pennell spent the past summer training in Corvallis, lifting weights, working as a roofer and testing his skills against teammate Nathan Coy, who ranks eighth in the nation among 174 pounders. "That kept the mindset going," Pennell says of his offseason bid for a starting spot. "Working out once a week with Nathan Coy really taught me a lot." The rest was simply Pennell being Pennell, running the stadium steps, doing line drills and practicing shots on his own. "If you�re not doing the extras, then you�re not going to be better," he says. "Everybody�s doing the regular." Wells certainly noticed, but wasn�t surprised, by the effort put in by Pennell. "We knew as a high school guy that he was real driven," says the OSU coach. "We were hoping that the same thing would happen in college. He has a fire and definitely has a zeal to get out there and compete that�s nice to see." Much of Pennell�s success can also be attributed to his willingness to learn in the wrestling room from workout partners Coy, Jake Huffman and sixth-ranked 157-pounder Eric Jorgensen. "You can see he�s definitely utilizing the people he has around him to make him tougher," says Wells. "He�s not afraid to make a mistake in practice. And when it�s time to go and the lights are on, he�s eliminated those things that are not working and gets right down to business." That type of personae should keep Pennell�s foes on their toes for many years to come. "I don�t know where he�ll be seeded for the Pac-10 (Championships) but I guarantee not too many people want to draw him just because you�re going to have to go hard (every minute)," says Wells. That�s a reputation Pennell relishes. "I�m just getting started, hopefully," he says. And once Pennell starts, history shows it�s tough to stop him. Reach reporter Kris Henry at 776-4488, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.