By Christopher Tremblay, Staff Sports Writer

Jack Sauer grew up in a family atmosphere where his father as well as his two uncles wrestled on the high school level, and it was only inevitable that the blood line would eventually come forward and he, too, would take to the mats. His father would take him to Carmine Colace’s New England Gold Wrestling Club, and instantaneously, the younger Sauer would become enamored by the sport of wrestling. 

Originally, wrestling was something that did not come easy to the Franklin native as he was going up against much older wrestlers with a lot more experience. Eventually, he would begin to find himself comfortable on the mat, so much so that he decided to forgo playing basketball and focus solely on wrestling. 

“It was around seventh grade when I really started to get into the sport and having success in tournaments,” Sauer said. “That year, I finished second in the States and realized that all my hard work had started to pay off – it was a good feeling.”

When it was time to enter high school in Franklin, the incoming freshman was not at all intimidated by the numerous wrestlers that had gone through FHS to become perennial wrestlers. Sauer had already been introduced to Coach Colace and his coaches at New England Gold, so he was more than ready to don the Franklin uniform and hopefully following in the steps of so many other wrestlers.

That inaugural year wrestling for the Panthers, Sauer came out like gangbusters, wresting at 120 lbs. He went 22-11 that season, finishing second in the Sectionals and eighth in the Division 1 State Tournament. 

“The confidence was there that year, and I knew that I could only get better after beating the older kids,” he said. “I did need to improve on my neutral game, so after the high school season, I worked on that with my club team learning new techniques and asking the coaches for advice.”

As a sophomore, Sauer moved up two weight classes to 132 pounds and once again put forth a decent season posting a 34-5 record for the Panthers. Unfortunately, although he had another impressive regular season, the post-season was far from what he expected.

“In the Sectionals I was not there mentally; I was overthinking things, and I psyched myself out,” Sauer said. “My first match was close, but I lost to a kid that I had beaten during the regular season; I underestimated him and lost.”

Sauer would come back and win his second match but lost his third match and therefore didn’t qualify to continue onto the State Tournament. He was definitely disappointed in his performance, but he knew that it was his own fault.

 “It was all on myself, and it gave me the motivation to get better for my junior season,” he said. “Once again, I worked hard in the off-season with my club team to get better.”

Coming into this year, his tenth overall as a wrestler and his junior year at Franklin, Sauer took each match individually. He would enter each match with a more relaxed demeanor and stayed far away from overthinking things while believing in his ability and hard work. 

As a junior, Sauer took another step up and recorded a 43-13 season wrestling at 144 lbs. He would go on to capture second place at the Sectionals and third in the States and believed that he was definitely back. It was a really good feeling. 

“He overcame a disastrous post-season last year after winning 35 matches and bowing out in the Sectionals,” Colace said. “All that after placing in the States a year earlier as a freshman. He didn’t stop working after his downfall and although he doesn’t find himself in the limelight, Jack has become a leader as an underclassman; leading by example.”

By finishing third at the States, Sauer can compete at the New England Tournament, where his goals are to finish in the top eight in his weight class while employing the same mindset he’s used all season long.

Coming into his junior season, Sauer was looking to eclipse 100 career wins (he is currently one shy at the time of this writing) and place at the States doing the best that he could possibly do. He finished third but was looking to be number one. 

When the season eventually concludes, he is going to get back to work with his club team looking to improve even more.

“I still need to get better and need to improve some of my techniques,” Sauer said. “I’ve got to make sure my opponents are not keeping me from getting out of their holds.”

Colace noted that the junior is continually working hard, and his dedication is coming to fruition. 

“Next year, I will be looking for more leadership from him while promoting wrestling in and out of season,” the Coach said. “He is one of the hardest workers in the room, and his examples will spread amongst the other wrestlers.”

Next year as a senior, Sauer is looking to become a State Champion for Franklin and the first in his family.

“It would really be cool to get my name up there with the other State Champions that have passed through Franklin,” he said. “Every day we walk by the list of the past Sectional and State Champions and New England finalists; it would be really huge honor to be part of that group. It’s definitely motivation.”