Success isn’t something that most people achieve without hard work and adversity. For senior Jordyn Campbell, a two-time returning state wrestling champion with over 200 career wins and 177 career pins, this is especially true.
“The first time I won state was surreal. I had never felt that way before. The second time, to repeat it, it really solidified that I deserved it and it wasn’t a fluke the first time. It made me realize that all the time I have spent on wrestling had been paying off,” Campbell said.
The journey to the top meant even more knowing the challenges she had faced along the way, tearing her labrum freshman and sophomore year.
“Going through my surgeries shaped who I am today and made me realize not to take my sport for granted and being able to move my body is a privilege. The process sucked at the time, going through two surgeries and a lot of physical therapy, but I wouldn’t change it because it not only improved me physically but also mentally,” Campbell said.
What helped Campbell push through those challenges was the people around her.
“I have a really good support system in the school and on my team; my family has been really supportive, and I’m just surrounded by a lot of good people who can help push me,” Campbell said.
One person who has really helped her overcome challenges and reach her goals is her dad, Corey Campbell, who is also one of her coaches.
“We have a really good relationship, especially during wrestling season, because he’s my coach also, and so I think it’s helpful because he can push me in the wrestling aspect and help me with specific moves or just polishing up on some of the stuff that I’m doing,” Campbell said. “I know that he wants the best for me, and so he’s going to help me be wherever I want to be wrestling-wise but also still play the dad part and help me know that it’s okay to have struggles and it’s okay to go through things.”
The other thing that has helped Campbell overcome obstacles is her deep faith.
“My faith plays a big role in my athletics because I remember to not just wrestle for myself but to wrestle for God because he gave me the capabilities to be good and has helped shape who I am as a person and not just as an athlete,” Campbell said.
From her dad’s perspective, her faith is one of the main reasons she is so successful.
“Her faith is what makes her the strongest competitor in the world because she knows that no matter what she does, she’s walking the right path. She believes that there is a higher purpose for what she’s doing,” Corey Campbell said.
Campbell’s support system and faith have helped her keep a stronger mindset throughout the season.
“I just remember what I’m capable of, knowing that the outcome doesn’t really matter, and it’s all going to happen for a reason, and so there’s nothing I can really do about it other than trust my training and trust what I’ve already been through and just do what I know how to do,” Campbell said.
Because of this mindset, Campbell can set large goals for herself to reach at the end of her high school career.
“An obvious end goal would be to win state again but also just to continue to get better and fix things in my performance that need to be bettered, just so that I can be a better wrestler,” Campbell said.
Campbell doesn’t only want to make herself better, but she also wants to make her teammates better by being a good role model.
“Jordyn is always pushing everyone to their full potential and sees the best in everyone. She is always looking for ways to help her teammates and teach them new things,” junior Ella Henkel said.
All of these qualities have helped Campbell make a lasting impact on girls wrestling in Yutan and beyond.
“She has meant an incredible amount for not only the Yutan program but the state level as well, and her impact has possibly reached farther than even she may know,” assistant wrestling coach Taylor Teeter said. “I’ve got some youth wrestlers who see what she’s done and have them give wrestling a try just because of what she’s done and the good person she is.”
In the end, this positive impact is what Campbell most hopes for as she finishes her high school career.
“This season in particular, my last high school season, I just have to remember that I’ve been given the talents that I’m given for a reason, and so that gives me more of a reason for what I’m doing, and to be an example for everyone else so I can leave a good legacy here at Yutan,” Campbell said.
