Pine Creek's McGinty didn't lose his edge while recovering from knee injury

The wrestling community likes to use words like gritty, salty, tough, dedication and sacrifice to describe wrestlers and their craft. Pine Creek's Jerry McGinty III earned all those accolades Saturday.

The senior outscored his opponents 55-0 in winning the 138-pound title in the Class 5A Region 1 tournament,  claiming a top seed in the state tournament Thursday through Saturday at Pepsi Center. More impressive was the fact it was his first meaningful competition since tearing the meniscus in his right knee Jan. 13. 

McGinty was ranked No. 1 in his weight class up until the injury, but at that point his season was in doubt. So were Pine Creek's hopes for capturing its first state title. It was third last year and second the year before. 

The second-ranked Eagles were counting on McGinty to deliver a big chunk of team points - every one of which will be needed to top No. 1 Pomona. 

McGinty didn't need to make a quick comeback. He will enter the Air Force Academy Prep School this summer, so he doesn't need to pad his resume for college recruiters. 

Surgery followed by five to six months of recovery would have put him in position to start the next chapter of his life healthy and strong. Nobody would have blamed him for taking the cautious route. 

But McGinty's first concern was for the other 13 guys on the roster. 

"Right when I found out it was torn I kind of knew that I just had to suck it up and deal with it because I couldn't just leave my team like that," McGinty said. "I knew when my coaches and my dad told me I'd be able wrestle with it, it was pretty much no second thoughts." 

While McGinty's commitment to his team was the driving force in his decision to put off surgery until after state, he had a capable navigator guiding him through rehabilitation. 

McGinty's dad, Lt. Col. Jerry McGinty Jr., is the director of sports medicine at the Air Force Academy. He led his son through two weeks of rehab for two hours a day before getting back to practice. 

"I was pretty scared, not only for the team but I was scared for Jerry," said junior 132-pounder Geordan Martinez, a two-time state champion. "But to see him just come right back and wrestle fine, we don't see it being a problem."  

"I really noticed a huge difference in the room (without McGinty)," Eagles coach Billy Gabel said. "The intensity was still OK, but it wasn't what it's like with Jerry. Having him back for the last two weeks, just in the room, has helped the rest of the guys." 

Returning for regionals allowed McGinty to qualify for state and figure out what he has to work with once he gets there. The results were everything they had hoped for. 

"It's definitely back 100 percent," McGinty said of his confidence level. "It's good timing going into the state tournament. I've got all my confidence back." 

"This was encouraging," Lt. Col. McGinty said. "He came through looking pretty good." 

So did the Eagles' hopes of finally bringing home that championship trophy.