Through a career-altering knee injury and being the only starter not to have wrestled on the biggest stages at the end of March, pride and a chance to take the talent given to him to a new height gives 184-pound redshirt freshman Jerome Ward a little extra boost every time he touches the mat.

The Evergreen Park, Ill. native has built himself back up from surgery on his right knee, and now finds himself one year later as one of the staple contributors for the second-ranked Cyclones.

“It’s been a really good experience. I mean, everybody’s supporting me and showing me the ropes,” Ward said. “It’s been a little tough getting back into it after taking a few tough losses and tough matches.”

Ward, the only member on the starting roster to never wrestle at the NCAA Championships, said he is taking everything one step at a time, making sure that he takes full advantage of learning from some of the best.

“You have to be really dedicated to the sport, and when I first came back, it was kind of just take your lickings, you know,” Ward said. “It wasn’t easy at all, but for the most part it was fun. It was rough because it was nothing’s happening, nothing’s happening, but then the next thing you know, you get a breakthrough. [I] just stayed through the course of everything and stayed on track, and then you advance and advance.”

Dedication and hard work has paid off for the young grappler this season. Ward currently carries a No. 19 ranking and boasts a solid record of 15-10. More importantly for Ward and the Cyclones were the two big wins he had against Oklahoma and Oklahoma State last weekend. Coach Cael Sanderson has nothing but confidence that the cards will all fall into place when the Big 12 Championships and NCAAs roll around.

“Jerome just finds ways to improve each time he’s on the mat,” Sanderson said. “You know, he got down [against Oklahoma State], but he just stayed with it found a way to win. That’s really good to see from a freshman.”

The journey to get to the top is not seen by the average person, but the intense training and heart demonstrated each day in the wrestling room on the second floor of the Lied Recreation Athletic Center is where Ward pushes himself to reach his goals.

“Most of the time I’m with the coaches, but I’ll wrestle [Jake] Varner. Every now and then I’ll mix up with [David] Zabriskie. He’s a little heavier than I am, but we’ll go at it sometimes.”

Having the chance to wrestle and learn form a pair of All-Americans like Varner and Zabriskie gives Ward knowledge and a chance to understand what it takes to be at the top. Ward has taken the mentoring of each to make himself tougher on the mat.

“With Zabriskie, I’ve learned that you can’t stop moving because he’s big but he can move. And I’ve learned from Varner that you’ve got to set the tempo because he’s got a pace where nothing’s really happening, and then all of the sudden, you’re looking up at him on your back,” Ward said. “He really has taught me how to set the tempo and be strong, keep that steady pace,”

Ward’s consistent effort has gained the respect of his teammates.

“Ward is just one of those guys who really works hard,” Zabriskie said. “Every day in practice he gives it his all, and has gotten better each and every week.”

Like many Cyclones before him, Ward relishes the idea of achieving an elite status and becoming another piece of the history that is ISU wrestling.

“On the mat, I want to get a national title of course,” Ward said. “I just want to dominate my opponent, basically just go out and beat him to where he can’t move. That’s a goal right there for me. I just want to be the man, and off the mat I want to get my degree. I’m going to be here for another three years … more schooling has to come, and I’m going into law enforcement. Not sure what I’m going to do with that, but I’m just keeping my options open right now.”

All things aside, Ward is most comfortable when he runs out of the locker room and into the roaring atmosphere of Hilton Coliseum. Putting on the red or green anklet and squaring up to face his opponent places him right at home. At that moment, he knows what needs to be done.

“Before a match, I’m probably just as nervous as everyone else, but when I hit the mat and realize I have the mat under my feet, I know everyone’s watching,” Ward said. “It’s a time where I can just do whatever, and if the crowd gets into it, then it fires me up even more.”

Ward and the rest of the Cyclones’ quest to become national champions continues each day. But for Ward, is there a measure of where he will be at the end of his career?

“Honestly, I don’t know, but I can’t say that I’m going to limit myself,” he said.

“I think if I stay focused, every year is going to get better,”