In a still-new era for college sports when athletes are attempting to find ways for more eligibility for various reasons — sometimes even going to court for that chance to play immediately or for one more season — Jackson Hurst is opting for less.
But to be fair, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga wrestler has a good reason.
Currently a redshirt junior, Hurst will still have a year of NCAA eligibility remaining once this season ends, but he’s leaning toward not using that and instead going to medical school. Although he’s not quite sure which specific field will eventually be his focus, he sees options for his future.
“I’m still open to a lot,” said Hurst, whose father Joseph is an orthopedic surgeon in Johnson City, Tennessee. “Sports medicine, obviously, and orthopedic surgeries. My goal is what I’ve been around my whole life, and so that would be the end goal, but I’m open to a lot. I just haven’t experienced that much yet.”
With a major of biology and regular appearances on the dean’s list and the athletic director’s honor roll, he would seem to be preparing himself well for what opportunities may come.
On the mat, the results have been mixed during the 165-pounder’s UTC career, but it’s been one of perseverance for the former Dobyns-Bennett High School standout from Kingsport who was a two-time individual state champion for the Indians and had a career mark of 160-20.
The biggest highlight yet for Hurst came just a few weeks ago at McKenzie Arena, where the Mocs hosted the annual Southern Scuffle tournament. He placed sixth, the third-best finish for a UTC wrestler this year in the prestigious event featuring some of the country’s top collegiate talent, as Sergio Desiante won the title at 174 pounds and Blake Boarman was fifth at 133.
Staff photo by Abby White / UTC’s Jackson Hurst, right, leverages his body weight against Campbell’s Dom Baker during their 165-pound match Sunday at Maclellan Gymnasium, where both teams opened their Southern Conference dual meet schedule. The visiting Camels, the preseason pick to win the league championship, won 19-16.It’s that perseverance that has earned Hurst the respect of his teammates, particularly after he has competed at three different weight classes (157, 165, 184) during his time with the Mocs.
“Jackson is exactly what we want to see as a wrestler,” redshirt junior Dayne Dalrymple said. “He’s somebody that just works as hard as they can on and off the mat and does all the right things. He lays it all out there on the mat and is ready to give his best effort towards everything he does.”
Now in his seventh season leading the program, UTC coach Kyle Ruschell has a good idea of what kind of culture he wants his team to represent. So when he says, “Jackson is Chattanooga wrestling,” it should count for something.
“He’s just a hard-nosed kid that wrestles hard for the full seven minutes and gives himself an opportunity,” Ruschell added of Hurst. “That’s what people get out of their seats for. It’s not necessarily somebody just whooping up on somebody. It’s the guy that’s gritty, mean, just keeps wrestling through positions and makes it fun for the crowd to watch.
“He’s a great leader … and I think a lot of guys look up to him, being a wrestler and then a potential doctor moving down the road. He’s a guy that you can point to in the practice room, in the classroom and just say, ‘Hey, this is who we are as a program.'”
The Mocs (1-7), coming off a near upset of preseason Southern Conference favorite Campbell to open league duals competition last Sunday, will return to action Saturday when they host Virginia Military Institute (4-6, 0-1) at nearby Cleveland High School as a tip of the cap to the Bradley County community, a recruiting hotbed for wrestling.
UTC currently has one Bradley County wrestler on the roster — redshirt freshman Ethan Lipsey of Bradley Central — but has historically had success recruiting the area that’s home to the two most dominant public school programs in the state. Bradley Central’s Bears and Cleveland’s Blue Raiders have combined for 40-plus TSSAA wrestling state championships (duals and traditional tournaments) just this century.
And when the Mocs arrive, they’ll be led in part by one of their leaders, Hurst.
“I think we’re all Chattanooga wrestling,” he said. “I’m just grateful to be part of the program and giving your all every day. I think persevering is just what’s expected and that’s just how it is. It’s just what you’re supposed to do in this program.
“If that’s Chattanooga wrestling, I think we all are.”
Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress.com.