With the start of official practices upon us, UWBadgers.com will introduce to you the newest members of the Wisconsin wrestling team by giving you a look at who they are off the mat.
Previous spotlights:
TJ Ruschell
Rylan Lubeck
Justin Koethe
Isaac Jordan
Parker Hines
Kegan Gennrich
Lenny Bloom
Today we take a look at one of the more highly-touted members of this year's freshman class, Germantown, Wis., native Jesse Thielke.
Thielke comes to the Badgers after taking last year to train in an attempt to qualify for the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London. Thielke just missed qualifying, taking fourth at the 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials in the Greco-Roman competition.
Prior to that he was a star at Germantown High School for four years where he compiled a near-perfect 185-1 career record and was a four-time Wisconsin state champion - one of only eleven in state history. He was also a two-time Greco-Roman champion at Fargo.
Thielke is a four-time U.S. world junior team member, and took home his first medal at the FILA Junior World Championships - a bronze - in September in the Greco-Roman competition.
Favorites:
Athlete: Aaron Rodgers
Movie: Return of the Jedi
TV show: Fringe
Sports team: Packers
Food: Buffalo wings
Place on campus: Lucky apartments
Vacation spot: Northern Wisconsin
Wrestler: Dennis Hall
Place to wrestler other than the UW Field House: A raised mat with spotlights (lots)
Questions:
Nickname: Honey Badger
Why Wisconsin?: It was a perfect place for me to both succeed and enjoy myself
First started wrestling: Age seven in second grade
Most memorable match: State finals senior year
My favorite thing about Wisconsin wrestling is: The fans
Before each math I...: Relax
In off-season training, I worked on: Greco-Roman wrestling
The best thing about Madison is: All the friends I already have here
Dream as a collegiate wrestler: Four-time NCAA Champion
My role models are: Dennis Hall, Lee Kemp, Cael Sanderson
What talent would you like to have?: Ability to read minds
Secret talent I have: Master word search solver
Dream date: Victoria Secret model
One thing I absolutely have to do before I turn 40: Win multiple world and Olympic titles
If I could bring one thing from my hometown, it would be: My pets
Greatest invention of the last 100 years: Xbox
What is your greatest fear?: Death
What is your greatest achievement?: Four-time State Champion
Which fictional or historical figure would you like to meet?: George Washington
If you could have one superpower, what would it be?: Flight
If I had a million dollars, I would...: Invest and save
Worst habit: Over-eating
Favorite quote: "Never waste a minute"
