Jared MasseyThe Circle Pines, Minnesota native wrestled at the University of Wisconsin, dropped out after a couple seasons plagued by injuries. After four years off, Massey enrolled at Augsburg College, where he won the 197-pound crown at the 2009 NCAA Division III Championships.
Now the 26-year-old Massey hopes to end his college mat career as a three-time All-American, and win his second national title for the Auggies.
Building a strong foundation in wrestling
Like so many wrestlers, Jared Massey was introduced to the sport thanks to a family member.
"My uncle moved back to Minnesota from Utah when I was a kid," according to the Augsburg 197-pounder who grew up in Blaine, Minnesota. "He started the Screaming Eagles. Me and two other brothers of mine joined, one younger, one older."
Jared Massey (Photo/Jeff Beshey, The Guillotine)Jared Massey's wrestling career continued at Centennial High, located just outside the Twin Cities. During his prep career, Massey amassed an overall record of 175-23, including 110 pins. He was a four-time Minnesota state tournament qualifier (including as an eighth grader), winning two state titles. His first -- as a junior -- was the Class AAA title at 171 pounds at the 2002 State Championships, concluding a near-perfect 47-1 record that year. The following year, Massey capped off a perfect 48-0 season by winning the Class AAA 189 crown as a senior. He then went on to place seventh at the 2003 NHSCA Senior Nationals, and earn a place on Wrestling USA magazine's All-American team in 2003.
If these accomplishments weren't enough ... Jared Massey's name appears frequently in his school's record books. He has the top winning percentage of any Centennial wrestler, having had his arm raised at the conclusion of 88.38% of his matches. He's tied with his brother Kyle for the most wins in a season, with 48. He's second in overall wins. Second in total pins. Second in overall points scored (901).
When asked for his best memory of his high school career, Massey responded, "Winning the state title my junior year. I was underrated that year. The kid I beat in the finals was from Apple Valley, which made it all the sweeter."
Jared Massey has other positive memories of his time as a Centennial wrestler. "It was neat to see how our team progressed over the years," said the current Augsburg matman. "Getting to wrestle with my brothers was great, too."
On, Wisconsin ...
Thanks to his impressive mat credentials, Jared Massey was actively recruited by a number of colleges. "I got to visit Nebraska, Minnesota, Missouri and Wisconsin, which was my last trip."
Massey decided to become a Badger.
"The Wisconsin coaches made trips to see me," said Massey, when asked why he chose the Big Ten school in Madison. "It was only four hours from home. I really loved the campus."
"I loved wrestling for the Badgers. I wrestled at some tournaments. Then I injured my thumb, and was out the rest of the season."
"The next season, I had arthroscopic knee surgery, but came back from that. Then I messed up the other thumb. More surgery. Out for the rest of the season."
"Then I left college. Not the wisest thing to do."
... then a four-year layoff
"I left in the middle of my second year," Massey continued. "I went home, worked for a company that made clean-air units."
Massey returned to the Wisconsin capital. "I went to talk to the coaches at Madison Area Technical College, but it didn't work."
"I worked at a stone company and, at nights, as a bouncer. I lived with my brother Kyle who was wrestling at Wisconsin at the time. I was living the college life, without going to college."
"Every once in a while, I'd work out with some of the individuals on the Wisconsin wrestling team. But that was a bit awkward for me."
Back home
"One of my high school coaches -- Sam Barber -- was an assistant at Augsburg. He had been talking to me about moving back," said Jared Massey.
Sam Barber"Barber wanted what was best for me. He thought Augsburg would be the right place."
Massey went to a local community college, got caught up on his credits, then enrolled at Augsburg.
"It was an adjustment," admitted Massey. "It was like I was a freshman again, getting into the college routine. However, wrestling came right back to me."
"A D3 room is different. Augsburg is a very team-oriented room, compared to D1. More focused on the team, rather than on individuals. More technique-oriented. In D3, the guys may not be state champs ..."
Reflecting on his leaving Wisconsin, Massey said, "I made a rash decision. I'm happy where I am, but, when you're a kid, you dream of wrestling in Division I and in the Big Ten."
Auspicious Auggie
Despite a four-year layoff, Jared Massey returned to wrestling in a big way. In his first year competing for Augsburg College, the junior compiled a 30-1 record. At the 2009 NCAA Division III Championships in Cedar Rapids, Massey scored a fall and two wins by major decision to win the 197-pound title ... becoming the 44th Auggie to win a national mat championship.
In the championship match, Massey scored three takedowns, a reversal and a two-point near-fall in what the Minneapolis Star-Tribune described as "a dominating performance," accumulating nearly four-and-a-half minutes of riding time toward a 11-2 major decision over Ryan Malo of Williams College of Massachusetts.
"To be able to come back in the first year and win was huge," said Massey. "Showing people that I was able, and proving it to myself."
Last year, Massey was 29-1. He earned All-American honors by placing third at 197 at the 2010 NCAA Championships.
A veteran's perspective
What's it like to be a few years older than your teammates?
"I might get a little more respect, knowing a little more," Massey, 26, responded.
"I feel I need to be a leader ... I need to push myself."
Mark Matzek"Everyone looks up to a big, strong national champ. He takes care of business."
The physical aspect also comes into play.
"I think I'm the same guy all along," Massey said. "I have to do more to keep my body in shape."
"I can tell the difference between now, and when I was 18. My training isn't right with these guys (my teammates). I need more recovery time. That said, I don't like to sit things out."
"To be strong and healthy is huge," Massey continued.
Coach Matzek weighed in.
"With all the experience he's had, he knows his body, his positioning."
"He's a phenomenal athlete, very quick, explosive. Not your typical 197. Moves like a 141."
"He has an incredible work ethic. Works very hard. He's usually in the top three in our runs."
"He's faced some adversity this year, a big-time nagging injury, but seems to be turning the corner, fighting through it."
As of this writing, Jared Massey is 13-1 for the season, recently winning the 197-pound title at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Invitational on Saturday, Feb. 12 with four victories, including two falls and a major decision. Massey is ranked No 2 in the nation at 197 behind Wartburg's Byron Tate, who handed Massey his only loss of the season at the battle of the 'burgs on Feb. 4.
What's next
As the season winds down -- and a college wrestling career wraps up -- both Jared Massey and his coach look to the future.
Jared Massey (Photo/Stephen Geffre, Augsburg College)"I plan to see about coaching."
Mark Matzek sees that as a definite possibility for his 197-pounder.
"Jared is coaching material ... I see it in the room. We have a 220-pound freshman heavyweight who works with Jared, and is learning so much from him."
"You won't meet a nicer guy," Matzek said of Massey.
"I'll see the fruits of my labor when guys like Jared do well after they leave, be successful, raise families."
In the meantime, both men are focused on the next few weeks.
"My expectation is another national championship for Jared," said coach Matzek.
Massey concurred: "Knowing I've done it before, I can be national champ again."
This story also appears in the Feb. 25 issue of The Guillotine. The Guillotine has been covering amateur wrestling in Minnesota since 1971. Its mission is to report and promote amateur wrestling at all levels -- from youth and high school wrestling to college and international level wrestling. Subscribe to The Guillotine.
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