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Youngsville wrestler Jake Lucas didn't win a single match his sophomore season, his first year wrestling since the fourth grade.

But he didn't quit.

"I loved it," said Lucas. "It was my sport."

Lucas is now a senior captain - as voted by his teammates - with three wins so far in the 2008-09 winter season.

"You're talking (only) a third-year wrestler wrestling varsity at 160 pounds - that's not an easy weight class, and he has really worked very hard to improve himself," said Youngsville wrestling coach Phil Knapp. "His thing is to be the best that he can be and I think he's achieving that."

Jake's contribution goes far beyond wins and losses.

He has set an example for his teammates - from hard work in the weight room to attending wrestling camp in the summer to work in the practice room at Youngsville High School, and also in matches. He is now stronger from the first period to the third.

"When it's something he wants, and that he likes, he'll succeed," said Jake's mother, Jane.

A little "Q & A" with Jake Lucas:

Q: Who are your parents, siblings, what sports do you participate in, any information you think we'd find useful?

A: My parents are Jane and Bernie Lucas. I have a younger brother, Sam, and an older sister, Sarah. I played in football this year as starting linebacker and at tight end. I am currently the captain of the Youngsville wrestling team at the 160-pound weight class. I am in the school trap league during spring and enjoy weightlifting year round.

Q: How young were you when you started wrestling, and how did you get involved in it?

A: The first year that I ever wrestled was in fourth grade. My younger brother and I wanted to give the sport a try and we knew the coach out at Pittsfield elementary, so my mom took us out there and we wrestled there for a year, (I didn't wrestle again until) ...I was a sophomore. Steve Bundy, my coach from back in elementary, and my brother coaxed me to try wrestling. I decided that I'd try it for a year and that it would help me keep in shape for football. After my first J.V. match, I was hooked, I loved it. The adrenaline rush when your out there is just exhilarating. After that wrestling was no longer a way to keep in shape; it was my sport.

Q: Wrestling has to be right up there as one of the most physically-demanding sports there is; have you ever gotten hurt, or ever been fearful of getting hurt? What's a good example of how physically-demanding wrestling is?

A: I can't say that when I'm out on the mat I'm thinking about getting hurt. I'm thinking how can I use this hold, or how can I get out of this.

As for how physically demanding wrestling is, I come out of the football season well conditioned and in good physical shape, then enter the wrestling season and can barely make it in the first practice. About two or three wrestlers were on the cross country team this year, so they would be in shape for wrestling. They came in the first day of practice and after about 10 minutes they were dripping sweat, doubled over, catching their breath.

You could be in the best shape of your life and go and wrestle for six minutes straight and come off the mat sweaty and out of breath. Going that long with no timeouts when it's just you and your opponent going all-out, straining every muscle in your body so you can move your opponents arm two inches, allowing you to hit a move that might not even work, wears you out pretty quickly.

Q: What is something not many people know about you that you'd be willing to share?

A: In sixth grade I tried out for basketball; nothing against the sport, but I just don't get it.

Q: What do you plan to do after high school? What do you want to do for the rest of your life?

A: After high school, I plan on attending Clarion University Venango campus for its Industrial Technology major. Once I'm through college, I'll go to work for Penelec as a lineman. If my plans fall through, I'll stay in the field of electronics and go to another school like Penn Tech in Williamsport or some other technical school.

Q: Who is your inspiration and why?

A: I have to say that I don't have one individual inspiration. Everybody plays a role in someone's life and in shaping how they act and how they pursue their dreams. Parents raise you, teachers teach you, friends help you, coaches instruct you, and all of them want the best for you. If I had only one person who inspired me I would have a very narrow outlook on life and not be as fortunate as I am.

Q: Name three people from any point in history you would love to have dinner with, and why?

A: Nikola Tesla, Albert Einstein, and my Grandpa Lucas - they are all very bright and wise men that I could learn a lot from, and I never got around to talking to my grandpa before he died and I really wish I had.

Q: Three words that best describe you?

A: Strong, simplistic, and outgoing.

Q: What are your goals for the season?

A: I would like to make it to districts, and seeing as I've only been wrestling three years, it will be a challenge that I'm eager to work for.

Q: Have you ever been "in the zone" when it comes to sports? Do you remember how you felt? Describe what you mean?

A: "In the zone" is anytime I'm playing. When I'm out there wrestling, I don't hear the crowd roaring when I get a reversal or my mom yelling after I win. I don't hear anything until I've come "out of the zone" and off the mat.

Q: What organizations or activities are you involved in outside of wrestling?

A: Outside of wrestling I am in football, trapshooting, L.I.N.K.S., Fuel youth group, and Skills U.S.A.