Cuba City senior wrestler and three-time Division 2 state champion, Jarod Donar signed his national letter of intent with the University of Minnesota on Monday at Cuba City High School. Donar becomes the third wrestler in Cuba City High School history to sign a letter of intent with a Division 1 college. Kirk Schultz wrestled for the Air Force Academy while Jarod's older brother Jake wrestled for the Badgers.
Donar's decision did not come easy since brother Jake wrestled for the Badgers during his college career. Donar fielded letters from numerous schools including Wyoming, UW-Wisconsin, Hofstra in upstate New York, but ultimately felt Minnesota was his best choice.
Cuba City head wrestling coach Bob Hahn said it has been easy to coach someone with Jarod's talent. "He's wrestled for many other coaches during his career and I should get very little credit for helping Jarod during his high school career," said Hahn. "I think it (Minnesota) will be a good fit for him and he was offered more money to go to schools farther away, however he wanted to be closer to home for family to come watch him play."
Jarod has crossed off one major item from his list of things to do during his senior year. "It's awesome to know what your plans are for college before the season starts," said Jarod. "It was between three schools and I felt this would be the best school for me to attend. Minnesota is ranked third in the nation and it's a very traditional program. They are always producing national champs each year."
Jarod has quite the impressive resume where wrestling is concerned during his three years at Cuba City. Jarod went 46-0 with 22 pins as a freshman, 48-0 as a sophomore with 23 pins and 49-0 in his junior season with 28 pins. Each year, Jarod finished his season on top with a state title and has a three-year undefeated record of 143-0. During his off-season, Jarod maintains his competition by wrestling throughout the United States in Greco Roman wrestling and freestyle wrestling. Jarod has won three straight Bi-State classic titles and was named the Bi-State most valuable wrestler last year.
With the impressive resume, Jarod said he doesn't feel pressured going into his final wrestling season. "I just go out there and do my best," Jarod said. "My goal is to remain undefeated in my senior season and win another state title. My advice to the younger kids is to always work your hardest. What you put into the sport is what you get out of it."
If Donar attains his goals for his senior season he will become the first wrestler in Cuba City school history to go undefeated and win four state titles. Donar's sister, Jenny was the only gymnast in school history to win four straight titles on the uneven bars. Jenny went on to compete in gymnastics at the University of Iowa.
Jarod's dad Don said it makes him feel good his children can make their own decisions about college. "We are going to support where they want to go," Don said. "Each one of our kids have set their own goals along the way and I feel that Jarod chose the best school to help him attain his ultimate goal of becoming a national champion."
Don said Jarod took his time in choosing the best college for him. "He broke down every aspect of this process of what each school had to offer just like he does when he's out on the wrestling mat," Donar said. "This was a difficult decision for him to make. He has been mulling over the schools since June and ultimately it was Minnesota where he felt was the best fit both academically and athletically."
Minnesota has a very rich and strong wrestling tradition. That is their namesake at Minnesota. Jarod is committed to Minnesota where he will receive an incentive based scholarship. Based on Donar's performance during his tenure at Minnesota, he will be eligible for additional funding.