Posted 1/12/07
UW-Platteville's Jesse Milks is a freshman wrestler from Rock City, Ill. , where he was a four-time conference champion and a 2006 Illinois state champion at Dakota High School. He is the Pioneers' starter at 157 pounds who will be in action Saturday at 2 p.m. when UW-Platteville wrestles Lawrence in Williams Fieldhouse.
What brought you to UW-Platteville?
"The combination of the wrestling program and the engineering program at Platteville."
How has your first year gone, both academically and athletically?
"Pretty well, actually. I like it here a lot."
You won the Illinois High School championship as a senior. How much of a thrill was that?
"It was definitely a thrill. It's pretty much what I was working for my whole life."
That success has continued at UWP, as you have won 13 of your first 17 matches, including the championship of the Milwaukee School of Engineering tournament Dec. 2. Were you expecting so much success so soon?
"That's what I was hoping for, although you can never plan on something like that."
What's the biggest difference between high school and college wrestling?
"Everyone is good now. There are no easy matches in college."
What kind of goals do you have for this year and for your career?
"My goal for this year is to be a (NCAA Division III) national qualifier. For my career, hopefully a national title."
Are the best wrestler here from Dakota High School? (Fellow freshman wrestler Scott Nicholas is also from Dakota.)
"Wow, I don't think I should answer that!"
Seriously, is it nice to have a buddy come here and be on the team?
"It makes it a lot easier. You know you always have someone backing you up."
Interview by Sports Information Director Paul Erickson