2023 NCAA WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIP

March 22, 2024

Jacori Teemer

T-Mobile Center

Semifinals Media Conference

THE MODERATOR: We have with us Jacori Teemer from the 157-pound Championship Jacori Teemer from Arizona State University.

JACORI TEEMER: I've been wrestling a lot of close matches this whole week. I was glad I got bonus points for my team and opened up the gap.

Q. So every time you have wrestled him, he's closed the gap on you. Went from a major down to a decision down to a one-point match last time you guys wrestled. What was different in this one? How your body felt? Your mentality? Or was it your game plan?

JACORI TEEMER: I think it was experience. Right before the match I seen he was looking up at the crowd, looking all around amazed and I was eyeing in on him the whole time. So just the experience at that level, I knew I had been here before, 2022, against Decon, his coach. And I had to manage my energy, and I knew he wasn't managing his energy. Just the way he was pacing back and forth looking at the crowd. I think that played a big factor. Obviously he's a good opponent. He's a great competitor. I'm glad to be a rival.

Q. You told me today that you are answering questions this tournament. Is there one final question that you have to answer?

JACORI TEEMER: Oh, yeah. I gotta get the job done. It's something I've dreamed of since I was a kid so that's the final thing I gotta do, win a National Championship.

Q. Arizona State has had plenty of guys in the finals. You also have another teammate in the finals. What's it mean to rep Arizona State with that coaching staff and the guys that have come before you that were also in the finals and won titles?

JACORI TEEMER: It's a great program, Zeke Jones took it over. He's doing great things with the team. And I'm happy to be part of a coaching staff that's so great. We have Mark Perry, he's excellent, and the others. I'm so grateful to wrestle for them. And my teammates are dogs. Richie Figueroa 125 showed up when it mattered the most. And Parker lost in the semis, I feel like he will bounce back and Colon coming up soon, so hopefully three in the finals.

Q. I'm curious, you probably didn't see it but Frank at a certain point got excited, was jumping up and down in the middle of your match. What does it feel like to have Frank and all the other guys in your corner supporting you like that?

JACORI TEEMER: Frank brings the energy every time. I think he was more excited than me upstairs. He was like, laying down, breathing heavy. He was so excited for the team. But I love the energy he brings. The faith he brings to the team and he's an awesome guy.

Q. We talked about you being in the video game from last year. You had the opportunity to be the second wrestler featured in that game to win a National Championship. How special is that for you?

JACORI TEEMER: That's very special for me. I've been playing video games since I was a kid and being a part of something like that has always been a dream of mine. Hopefully we get an EA Sports edition, that would be cool, but it's a blessing.

THE MODERATOR: Thank you very much.