NORFOLK, Neb. — After starting his wrestling career in second grade, Joel Thompson enjoyed the sport as a kid.

“I didn’t win a match from second grade when I started all the way up until fifth grade," Thompson said. "In second and fifth grade I was just there, I was just having fun. I was that kid running around with my singlet all the way up.”

Today, Thompson is ready to be the first Norfolk High wrestler in decades to compete at the 2023 U.S. Marine Corps Junior National tournament in Fargo, N.D. 

Family members of Aric Kruger and Billy Kruger said they competed in the tournament in 1996. They said Aric placed third nationally in New Orleans and Billy competed in Fargo, N.D.

Thompson said while he is happy to make history, he wants others to be inspired by his hard work.

“It really means a lot to me and I want it to mean more to other people, especially the wrestling community,” Thompson said. “I want more kids to step into the freestyle and Greco-Roman style because it truly helps make you a better wrestler.”

The soon-to-be senior leaves on Saturday for the beginning of the tournament on Sunday.

The Fargo Dome is expected to see over 7,000 wrestlers from across the country with Thompson beginning his weigh-in on Sunday. 

The wrestling will be different to the style that high school wrestling viewers are used to seeing.

Thompson, who will wrestle in the 152 pound weight class, explained how Greco-Roman and freestyle wrestling help him when he wrestles for Norfolk High.

“It [Greco-Roman and freestyle] really teaches you about positioning,” Thompson said. “So if you are not in the right position, you’re probably going to get thrown for four or five in freestyle and Greco. So, it teaches you how to feel the pressure someone is applying to you.”

According to Thompson, Greco-Roman does not allow for scoring below the waist and focuses on upper body while freestyle allows for the locking of hands during the match.

While it is the Olympic style of wrestling, Thompson believes Nebraska should encourage the growth of Greco-Roman and freestyle wrestling and thinks there are opportunities for high school wrestlers to grow in the sport.

“There’s a lot of training opportunities throughout Nebraska for it,” Thompson said. “There needs to be more, there truly does. It needs to be recognized as a higher sport than it is in Nebraska.”

Thompson said he is looking forward to the tournament and is expecting tough competition during his stay in Fargo.

“I want to show people it’s going to be a war,” Thompson said. “No matter what it’s going to take. Yeah, it’s very possible to go 0-2 at this tournament, there’s some tough wrestlers. Yeah, it’s the biggest tournament in the nation. There’s going to be top ranked kids there.”

Thompson previously went to a tournament in Florida, where his brother and cousin also wrestled.

Thompson finished with an 8-2 record and led the team to a third place finish.

In a statement, Norfolk wrestling head coach Justin Grey commended Thompson’s work ethic and is proud to have Thompson represent Norfolk and the Norfolk wrestling program in Fargo.