Hub wrestler Jaden Cook worked with former Rochelle heavyweight Zack Capes in the mat room during every practice this past season. Cook was a freshman while Capes was a senior, but the 285-pounders pushed each other and simultaneously sharpened each other’s skills.

That experience will bode well for Cook as he prepares to take over Rochelle’s starting heavyweight spot in the varsity lineup during his sophomore season this coming year. Cook has already been tested in the ring, winning the Interstate 8 Conference JV Championship and placing second at the Rockford East Freshman Invitational in the 285-pound weight class.

Cook said Capes, who medaled in second place at 285 pounds during the Interstate 8 Conference Varsity Championships this past season, was a great mentor for him during his freshman season. Cook said his conditioning will be an important factor in his success.

“I thought I learned a lot from Zack and my coaches,” Cook said. “They taught me a lot and I felt that I did well in trying new things on the mat this past season. I need to improve my conditioning and I want to be the best in the conference. I want to show my coaches that my hard work in practice has been helping me perform better on the mat.”

Cook was in seventh grade when he took up wrestling for the first time. His football coaches told him that wrestling would be a great way to improve his skills, and the more time Cook spent wrestling, the more he began enjoying the sport. Cook could be the future for Rochelle at the heavyweight class, and he said he’s more motivated than ever to score points for his team.

“What I enjoy most about wrestling is that you can’t blame anybody but yourself when you lose a match,” Cook said. “I felt that my role last season was to learn from the older guys and show up to practice every day ready to work hard. I’m the only person in my weight class right now, and I know my role is going to be getting my team on the scoreboard so we can win.”