Man of Character

What a great NCAA D1 Wrestling Championship this year. Some great matches were broadcast on ESPN2 and ESPN. One of the best finishes came from University of Minnesota Jayson Ness who won the match in the last 15 seconds be securing a takedown over Dennis of the University of Iowa. Here are just several of the comments Ness made after winning his first ever national title.

Robinson (Ness' head coach) said a big part of Ness’s success is his faith and how grounded he is in his approach to life, family and wrestling. Ness meets twice a week with a mentor, Minnesota Vikings’ chaplain Tom Lamphere.


The NFL chaplain was a former University of Minnesota wrestler. Lamphere also meets with Gophers Zach Sanders and Mike Thorn during one of the sessions, and encourages and pushes the trio to grow in their faith and dependence in God, both on the mat and in life.


“It really helps me keep everything in perspective. It helps me stay focused on my goals,” Ness said. “All I can give is 100 percent effort every match. If I give 100 percent effort, God is going to be happy with me so I can be happy with myself.


“He gave me the gifts and abilities to be able to wrestle. If I go out and do it for Him, that’s what He’s given them to me for. The more I go and speak about that, that’s what He wants.”