At 113 pounds, Warren County Pioneers wrestler Jakoby Odineal does not just wrestle fast: He thinks fast, believes fast and attacks every match with the confidence of someone who knows exactly who he is on the mat.
“You kind of just got to tell yourself that you’re the best and nobody can beat you,” Odineal said. “That’s really what I try to do before every match, just [positive] self-talk, just believe in everything I practice and worked out before a match.”
Now in his fourth year of wrestling, Odineal has become one of the Pioneers’ most dependable and dangerous competitors. Coming off a state tournament medal last season, a sixth-place finish as a sophomore at the TSSAA State Championships, he has carried that momentum into another strong campaign, bouncing between the 106- and 113-pound classes while continuing to rack up wins in both duals and tournaments.
Odineal said his style fits his weight class perfectly. At 113 pounds, Odineal said speed and positioning can decide a match in seconds, and that is where he is focused most on sharpening his game. Odineal said he is pointing his work this season on improving his underhooks, a technique that helps him stay tight to opponents and control the pace of a bout.
That attention to detail has paid off. Earlier this season, Odineal went 7-0 at the Lester-Welsh Duals, earning Silver Spikes honors, and has been a regular presence atop podiums in regional competition. At state, he delivered an opening-round upset over a sectional champion before wrestling his way into the medal rounds.
Odineal said for him, the biggest battles often happen before he ever steps onto the mat.
“I love it,” Odineal said. “Growing up here, it’s really good to bring some spotlight to Warren County wrestling to represent…it’s really important for me to wear a Warren County singlet.”
Odineal said that sense of pride has become a driving force, not just for him, but for the entire Pioneers lineup. Odineal said he credits this season’s success to a team-wide mindset that values toughness and relentless effort.
“The season’s helped a lot with a lot of guys stepping up,” Odineal said. “We’re just tough and we get after it and we work harder than anybody else.”
As Warren County continues to make noise across the region and at the state level, Odineal remains one of its most visible ambassadors.