Dec. 17, 2014
By Matt Allibone, GoPSUsports.com Student Staff Writer
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - It may have been the most frustrating time of his collegiate career, yet Penn State heavyweight Jimmy Lawson couldn't help but take the glass half-full approach.
After a strong 16-4 start to his junior campaign in 2013-'14, the Tom River, New Jersey, native saw his hopes to become an All-American vanish when he sustained a season-ending left knee injury on Jan.19 against Northwestern's Mike McMullan.
Instead of helping the Nittany Lions win a national championship in March, Lawson watched from the sidelines as his teammates won their fourth consecutive title. Still, he never allowed himself to hang his head.
"The positive thing that I could think about was the fact that it wasn't my senior year," Lawson said. "The main thing was being grateful. You get an injury like that and it derails your season and your aspirations for that season but at the same time, I was grateful that I had another opportunity."
That opportunity finally came on Dec. 11 during the Nittany Lions' fourth dual meet of the season against Maryland. In his season debut, Lawson looked as strong as ever, racking up nine takedowns in a 20-8 major decision win over the Terapins' Ryan Kail.
As good as it felt for Lawson to score such a dominant victory, the highlight of the wrestler's night was simply getting back on to the mat in a dual meet after sitting out for so long.
"I've been wrestling in open tournaments but that was definitely a different experience," Lawson said. "I've been out a long time so it was definitely a good experience to get out there and wrestle."
Lawson's journey back to the mat wasn't an easy one. The heavyweight had never undergone any type of surgery before, and the months that followed contained hours of rehab.
In order to get his knee back into wrestling shape, Lawson spent the summer in the gym, working on the strength in his legs and increasing his cardio.
"Definitely squatting and all that stuff, there's a whole bunch of different knee exercises," Lawson said. Conditioning was big. Couldn't really wrestle on the mat or put pressure on it too much...so treadmill and all that stuff. Basically just focusing on improving [the left] knee individually to catch it up with the right knee."
As difficult as the process was at times, the fifth-year wrestler believes he has become a better competitor because of the adversity that he was forced to overcome.
"The knee injury set me back, but at the same time, I was training my body and training my mind to be able to deal with things like that," Lawson said. "I think it definitely made me a better wrestler and a better person. I know I can handle more now."
Now that he's back on the mat, Lawson finds himself in the same position he's been in the past three seasons - battling for the starting spot with fellow redshirt senior Jon Gingrich.
Gingrich, who competed in the NCAA Championships for Penn State last year, has been extremely impressive in his own right this season, getting off to a 3-0 start that has led to a No. 8 national ranking.
Head coach Cael Sanderson has made his feelings on the competition between the two very clear. He believes both have the potential to be an All-American and that it's just a matter of who steps up.
"Lawson's got great potential," Sanderson said. "He's an unbelievable athlete with strength and he's got great speed. If he lets it go like [against Maryland] he can do some big things and he'll be real tough to beat."
The last time Lawson competed on the national stage was his sophomore year, when he went 1-2 in his first NCAA Championships appearance.
Now, the heavyweight has his sights set on bigger goals as the Nittany Lions look to once again defend their crown.
Although the departures of national champions and Penn State legends Ed Ruth and David Taylor has opened up a void in both leadership and production for the Nittany Lions, Lawson said he doesn't feel there is any extra pressure due to anyone's graduation.
According to the senior, becoming a leader is something that every veteran should strive to do, regardless of who his teammates are. As his final season continues, Lawson is focused on creating a legacy of his own.
"Regardless of if you have Ed or Dave on the team you should always assume a leadership role," Lawson said. "That's why coach [Sanderson] gathered these great kids on this great team, to build leaders. No one wants to be a follower. You don't want to be saying, `I'm the next Dave Taylor or Ed Ruth,' you want to be able to say, `[I'm] the next Jimmy Lawson.' We're trying to build our own legacies."