Jenkins finishes off a win over North Carolina State’s Darrion Caldwell in the semifinal round of the 2008 NCAA Championships in St. Louis. Jenkins ended up placing second at 149 pounds. Larry Slater photo.
Continued from page 18
“I’ve know Brian for a long time,” Jenkins said. “We have a real good rela- tionship and he’s always supported me. I knew he would treat me well and treat me fairly if I came down to Arizona State.” Jenkins said the transition to ASU has
gone well. “I love it here, plus it gets me out of the
cold,” he said. “I love the coaching staff we have. We have great workout partners and guys who are hungry to win.” Jenkins made such an immediate
impact at Arizona State that he was named a team captain. “I love the role – I’m a natural leader,” Jenkins said. “I give the guys advice and show them moves. I’ve been in the NCAA finals and I have experience from being a Junior World champ. The coaches asked me to speak up and help the guys.” Arizona State coach Shawn Charles
said Jenkins has been “a terrific leader.” “Bubba’s been unbelievable,” Charles
said. “He’s very vocal in encouraging and pushing our guys. He’s done everything and more to help change the wrestling environment in our room. He’s worked hard and fit in tremendously with our team. He’s a fantastic kid.” As talented as he is in freestyle, Jenkins plans to pursue another avenue when he’s done wrestling collegiately. “I love freestyle, but my plan is to go into mixed martial arts,” he said. “It’s a
have a little bit of a chip on my shoulder. I want to prove something to a lot of peo- ple. I’m hungry and I’m motivated to win a national title. I have one year left and I plan to make the best of it.” Jenkins will bump up to 157 this sea-
son after previously competing at 149. Entering this season, Jenkins hadn’t wrestled an official college match since the 2009 NCAA tournament. “Bubba’s helping our team out by mov-
ing up to 157,” Charles said. “We have a solid 149-pounder in Luke Ashmore. Bubba’s big enough, strong enough and athletic enough to wrestle 157.” The outgoing Jenkins, who did a little
dance after winning a Junior World title, said he may have a celebration ready if he wins the 2011 NCAAs in Philadelphia. “You know me, I will do something if I
Jenkins walks onto the mat for the 2008 NCAA finals. Larry Slater photo.
great fit for me. I did some boxing when I was younger, so I feel like I have a pretty good skill set for MMA. There are some great opportunities for me in that sport.” For now, he’s focused on reaching the
top of the NCAA podium in March. “It would mean everything to me to win
a national title,” said Jenkins, who is scheduled to graduate in May. “It would be the pinnacle of my life at this point. It’s what every college wrestler dreams of. I
win,” Jenkins said. “I have an idea of what I might do to celebrate, but I can’t let it out of the bag until it happens.” Charles is excited to see what Jenkins
can do this season. “He’s working hard and he’s in really
good shape,” Charles said. “He’s pushing himself to be a national champion.” Jenkins said the ASU team does 50
extra push-ups every day. “I’ve tasted what it is like to be up on
that stage in the NCAA finals,” Jenkins said. “I know what I have to do right this time to actually win the big match. I know I can get to the top of the podium.”
19 USA Wrestler
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