Su Valley grappler grabs chance to wrestle at the college level

WASILLA — Many college-bound wrestlers grew up on the mat. That wasn’t the case for Aiden Jolley. But it didn’t stop Jolley from grabbing the chance to wrestle at the next level.

Jolley, a 2018 graduate of Susitna Valley High School, recently inked his letter of intent to attend Concordia University in Moorhead, Minnesota, and wrestle for the Cobbers.

“I’m extremely excited,” Jolley said earlier this week by cell phone.

Jolley’s opportunity comes after just two full seasons of high school wrestling. Jolley said he’s competed in mixed martial arts since he was 13. His parents suggested he try a similar sport, wrestling. Su Valley head coach Bryan Kirby said it took more than two years to convince Jolley to stay on the team. As a junior, Jolley struggled. But as a senior, something clicked.

“I had a really bad junior year, but as a senior I started to get good at wrestling,” Jolley said.

After earning only seven wins as a junior, Jolley emerged to become one of the top wrestlers in his weight class at the Division II level. Jolley finished third at 182 pounds at the state tournament.

“I was actually really proud of myself,” Jolley, the bracket’s sixth seed, said.

Jolley said continuing to learn technique helped him improve as a senior.

Kirby said Jolley’s willingness to learn and athleticism allowed the Su Valley grad to get this type of opportunity, despite only two full years of wrestling.

“He’s one of the most coachable kids I’ve ever had,” Kirby said.

Kirby said Jolley competed in several sports at Su Valley in addition to wrestling, such as soccer, basketball and track and field.

“He’s athletic for sure, no doubt about it,” Kirby said.

Kirby said those traits will help him at the next level, regardless of experience.

“He’s a raw athletic talent,” Kirby said.

Jolley said he connected with the Concordia staff on a recruiting website. After talking with the coaches, Jolley said he was able to visit the Minnesota campus.

“It’s really nice. A beautiful campus,” Jolley said. “I really liked how it’s small.”

Kirby, a former college football player, said he suggested that Jolley look at smaller schools.

Jolley said he plans on studying nutrition and dietetics at Concordia.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.