Raymond Jordan locks up a tight gut wrench during today's Dave Schultz Memorial International. John Sachs photo

Past Freestyle National Team member Raymond Jordan is heading into the finals of the 2012 Dave Schultz Memorial International in Colorado Springs. Colo. very confident and poised to take the title at 84 kg/ 185 lbs. 

“My performance has been OK. There is definitely some room for improvement,” Jordan said after defeating Japan’s Takeshi Yamaguchi in the semifinals. “I think I have to capitalize more on scoring opportunities and work on going from actions to reactions. But all in all it’s been a solid day so far. “

Jordan defeated James Yonushonis of the New York AC, India’s Narsingh Yadav and Yamaguchi to reach the finals. Jordan will meet Phil Keddy of Hawkeye Wrestling Club to determine the tournament champion.

Jordan was an NCAA All-American for Missouri, and had a coaching stint at Arizona State, but is now at Nebraska, concentrating on his Olympic quest with Husker Coach Mark Manning as his new mentor.

Practicing day in and day out with 74 kg World Champion Jordan Burroughs probably has a lot to do with some of Raymond’s most recent success. As training partners, the two challenge each other in ways they may not get from other opponents.

“It’s awesome to train with Jordan. He brings something else to the table, he has some intangibles that you’re not going to get from practicing with anyone else in the world,” said Jordan. “To have him in the room everyday, to play around with and to learn from and feed off of, is a significant advantage in my opinion.”

Jordan is constantly looking toward the next match, toward the next competition and focusing on being the best.

“I train like this is my last opportunity because you never know what’s going to happen in the future,” Jordan said. “I put all my eggs in this one basket and I watch this basket very closely and I go full steam ahead.”

Jordan doesn’t seem to be lacking in confidence, even though he was not an NCAA champion nor has he placed higher than third at the World Team Trials. He believes he is already one of the top wrestlers in the world. He believes that if he wrestles his best, he is a tough opponent to beat, regardless of his opponent.

“My mentality is that if I wrestle my match, I can beat anyone in the world, not just in the United States. I’ve got to do what I’m capable of doing and I know I’m capable of winning any match,” Jordan said.

His weight class at the U.S. Olympic Trials could include 2004 Olympic champion Cael Sanderson, 2009 World silver medalist Jake Herbert, former NCAA champion Keith Gavin and a number of other talented stars.

Being able to practice against tough competition like Burroughs, and wrestle well in international tournaments like the Schultz Memorial is what gives Jordan the confidence in his abilities to make the U.S. Olympic Team at the Trials in Iowa City, Iowa, April 21-22.

“To represent the U.S. in London would be huge,” Jordan said. “That’s the goal right now. To go to Iowa City and to make the team, but not just stop there, the ultimate goal is to be an Olympic champ.”

For most Olympic hopefuls, the chance to go represent their country and compete to be an Olympic champion is the culmination of a long journey. Jordan is no exception.

Since childhood, Jordan has battled through a lot of adversity that might hold back many people. Jordan lost his parents and then tragedy struck again in high school, as he lost his grandmother. He has found a direction in wrestling, and has set his sights on the highest level of achievement in the sport, an Olympic gold medal.

“Considering where I’ve come from and the things I’ve gone through it would be the highest point of my life,” Jordan said. I’ve battled through a lot of adversity starting from childhood and had other personal trials along the way and i think it would be a monkey off my back, so to speak, and to just let it all hang out.”