LAKE STEVENS - Jaden Jennings, an accomplished wrestler out of Lake Stevens High School, committed to Hastings College of Nebraska Wednesday in a signing day ceremony held in Lake Stevens.

“My goal with college is to do the sport that I love with good people surrounding me while also getting an education that would allow me to have a good job that I love to do in the future,” Jennings said.

Jennings has battled considerable adversity in reaching his goal of wrestling at the collegiate level, including injury that sidelined him for almost an entire year. That said, he didn’t let it distract him from his longterm goals.

“A personal goal I've had for a while is to be the first person in my family to graduate from a college or university, I was searching for the best to call home for the next few years of my life,” Jennings said. 

Jennings is a state qualifier with a 24-12 career record. Coach Derek Lopez says Jennings has come on strong recently and is poised for a big senior season.

Jennings has faced injuries throughout his high school career, dealing with an AC joint shoulder issue, a leg fracture, and major knee cartilage damage requiring reconstructive surgery. As a result, Jennings sat out all of the 2023 season.

“But throughout this whole situation I never fussed about it and I kept on grinding everyday to get better and still went to every wrestling event and cheered on my teammates,” Jennings said. 

Coach Lopez said Jennings has been a difference maker on the mat and in the team. 

“He just worked really hard. He loves the sport, loves the team. He's been really helpful in my transition, taking over as head coach to just accept and listen to what I say and buy in and kind of help other people get there. I'm really excited to see what he does when he gets in Nebraska, but I'm really proud of him,” Lopez said. 

Jennings is a year-round volunteer as both a youth wrestling coach and with the Kiwanis organization.