Jared Goodson, who is poised this winter to become only the fourth wrestler in Poquoson High history to win four individual state championships, committed this week to wrestle for Virginia Military Institute.
“I’ve wanted to wrestle on the Division I level since I was a kid,” said Goodson, who helped the Islanders win the Class 2 team state title this past winter. “I didn’t know how or where, but when I visited VMI two weeks ago, I loved everything about it.
“I got to spend time with the wrestlers, saw how they live, that they have a lot of fun and that the sport is huge there. That Coach (Jim) Gibson thought enough of me to offer a scholarship was a big factor in my decision.”
Goodson, who also visited the Coast Guard Academy, has compiled a 110-14 record in his three seasons at Poquoson, with 84 of those victories by fall and another four by major decision. A two-time Peninsula Sports Club Wrestler of the Year, he was happy to make an early college choice ahead of a season in which the Islanders have scheduled duals against powerhouses St. Christopher’s, Great Bridge, Cox and Grassfield.
“Committing now is going to make all the difference and I’ll be more calm going into a stressful season,” he said.
The stress will only increase when he gets to VMI, where wrestle-offs (bouts to earn a place in the lineup) are held in the barracks in front of classmates.
“That will be stressful for sure, but I feel like I handle stressful situations well,” said Goodson, a member of the Poquoson National Honor Society who carries a 3.8 grade point average. “I feel fully capable in my skills of earning a place in the lineup.
“I think Poquoson really gets you prepared for what places like VMI have to offer.”
Islanders coach Eric Decker, an NCAA qualifier in his days at Old Dominion before guiding Poquoson to its past five (of 14) team state championships, says moving from high school wrestling to Division I “is like a different sport.” He thinks Goodson will bring the right mentality to the challenge.
“He’ll have to prove himself at the next stage, but his commitment, love of the sport and willingness to continue learning will ultimately make him successful,” Decker said. “He has the will to get it done.
“I think before long, he’ll be a leader of that team. VMI is a good, smart decision for him, not just for now, but for his future.”
