North Carolina State University Athletics
TIM PEELER: A Heavyweight Education
1/13/2006 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Jan. 13, 2006
BY TIM PEELER
RALEIGH -- Jainor Palma admits that he has learned a lot in his three years as NC State's starting heavyweight wrestler. And both Palma and Wolfpack wrestling coach Carter Jordan agree that one of the most important lessons of his career came in late December at the Southern Scuffle in Greensboro.
That's when Palma was pinned by Minnesota's Cole Konrad, the nation's top-ranked heavyweight wrestler.
"He kind of got his clock cleaned by the kid," said Jordan. "But I really think that the bulb began to brighten after that. Jainor began to wrestle more like the kid from Minnesota for the rest of that tournament, and he has continued to do that. (Konrad) may be one of the best wrestlers in the country in any weight class because he is a guy who likes to attack, put several moves together and score a lot of points.
"That is what Jainor has started to do and we are real proud of the way he has progressed."
Palma, a former walk-on from Cary, NC, was thrown into the Wolfpack lineup as a 17-year-old freshman and compiled a 28-30 record in his first two seasons as a starter, including a 17-14 record as a sophomore. But, now as a junior, the product of Cary High School's prominent wrestling program has excelled, already matching his career high with 17 wins this season.
He and his teammates open ACC competition Friday night at Maryland, followed by a non-conference match Saturday night at Ohio University. Both matches begin at 7 p.m.
"I picked a lot from that match against (Konrad)," said Palma, who has compiled a 17-4 overall record so far this season. "I definitely learned a lot from him in just how aggressive and relentless he was. He never stopped, never hesitated and he just kept scoring and scoring and scoring. That is why he is where he is.
"I have kind of been trying to imitate what he does and trying to do what he does."
Palma has also matured greatly in his two-and-a-half years with the Wolfpack. He's stronger, in better condition and much more knowledgeable about being a collegiate wrestler.
"He has dramatically improved during his time here, more than I ever thought he might," Jordan said. "We have been working with him. He is very athletic and quick for a guy his size."
Palma, whose parents are from Costa Rica, comes from an athletic family. He helped Cary's powerhouse squad win the 4-A state championship in 2003, finishing second in the state in the heavyweight division. His only loss in a 50-1 season came in the state finals. He also finished third in the state in 2002.
His younger sister, Norjai, a senior at Cary High, is one of the top shot putters, and his younger brother, Eloheim, is also an up-and-coming heavyweight.
Jordan believes Palma has the potential to be an ACC champion, or better, continuing NC State's tradition of producing top-notch heavyweights. Four former Wolfpack heavyweights -- Tab Thacker, Mike Lombardo, Brian Jackson and Sylvester Terkay - have won a total of eight All-America awards. Thacker and Terkay were both three-time All-Americas who each won national titles, Thacker in 1982 and Terkay in '93.
"We think Jainor has a chance before he leaves here to get his name up on that All-America board," Jordan said.
Palma believes that he keeps developing his new-found aggressiveness, anything is possible.
"I think the rest of the season and the rest of my career is going to be about trying to score, be aggressive and set the pace of the match," he said. "I haven't really thought about anything past the ACC Championships this season, but I would like to make it to nationals. After that, we will see where my career goes.
"Let's just say I want to do everything I can to get to that point. There is no doubt I can get there. I want to be an All-America."
You may contact Tim Peeler at tim_peeler@ncsu.edu.
