Senior Jeremiah Phillips finds himself down 13-2 towards the end of the third period. He feels discouraged and disappointed after getting taken down over and over. With 20 seconds on the clock he knows he must act in order to comeback if he wants to win the match. After going out of bounds, his opponent returns to the center and sets in the referee position. Phillips begins on top and puts enough pressure on his opponent to throw a Half Nelson in deep. It’s the opening he was looking for and he pins his opponent with only seconds remaining. 

But if anyone asks him his favorite memory from wrestling at Fort Osage High School it would be the bonding and time spent with his teammates his freshman year. 

Phillips is an outstanding wrestler with a record of 26-7 overall. He claims to have a greater interest for school but recognizes sports as just extra fun. 

“Wrestling is mostly a hobby,” Phillips said in an email. “I have more fun playing soccer, but I do love wrestling. I just have done it all my life, so it’s not as fun as it used to be. I have a lot of passion for school, and sports are just fun.” 

Teammate Junior David Jacquez began wrestling his freshman year of high school and has been wrestling alongside Phillips for three years now. 

“Jeremiah is an awesome wrestler,” Jacquez said in an email. “He’s really quick and strong and has great conditioning. But personally my favorite memory with Jeremiah would have to be when me and him were just talking for a good 30 to 45 min about vans and how cool they are and how cool you can customize the inside.” 

Some other activities Phillips is involved in are soccer, track, band, jazz band and also does community service for the National Honor Society. Fellow wrestler Junior Stevie Gabb and Phillips have shared a friendship since youth. 

“He is amazing at leg riding and throwing people so his matches are usually really fun to watch,” Gabb said. “ We definitely have a great team bond. We go out to eat after tournaments and stuff.”  

Phillips won first place at the 160 lb. weight division at the Class 3 District 8 Tournament and qualified for the Sectional Tournament. 

“I think he can get first at sectionals this year, he just has to believe in himself,” Gabb said. 

The ref blows the whistle and Phillips jumps up with extreme excitement and adrenaline as his team and the crowd cheer him on. He then stands next to the ref with his contender on the other side and his hand is then raised in victory over a match he will never forget.