Undefeated Cy-Fair senior eyes another wrestling title

Cy-Fair's Jacob Ekster has a flair for the dramatic, so while his goal is the same as every wrestler's — to win — he'd also like to look good doing it.

"Taking people down is what I like to do," Ekster said. "I like big scores. I like people to watch me wrestle and say 'Oh wow, he makes it look so easy.' "

And he does. The senior is the only undefeated 135-pounder left in the state. In fact, heading into the state tournament next weekend in Austin, he's trailed in a match only once while compiling a 49-0 record.

Now he's looking to make history.

Last season, Ekster became the third Bobcats wrestler to win a state championship, doing so at 130 pounds. If he wins again this year, he'll be the first two-time state champ Cy-Fair ISD has produced.

"It's a huge deal," Cy-Fair coach Jeremy Lippert said. "There's only a handful of guys in the state who have accomplished that."

Pedigree in sport

Ekster's had a leg up on the competition since he started wrestling in elementary. His dad wrestled in high school back in Michigan, and he's always had an abundance of energy at his disposal.

He just needed a direction to aim it.

Ekster's work ethic compels him to put in countless hours of practice and spend his offseasons at camps and national tournaments. He was top 12 at the Super 32 Challenge last year.

He began his high school career as a 112-pound freshman and earned his first state trip as a sophomore, winning the 125-pound regional title. He won his first state championship last season.

Clear Lake's Matt Greene has been Ekster's toughest competition. He kept Ekster from state as a freshman, then beat him in the 130 regional final last year — a loss Ekster avenged in the state final.

But this year, with Greene graduated, real rivals have been few and far between.

Ready for a test

Ekster is No. 1 in the state in his weight class. Right behind him are No. 2 Devin Vasquez (40-1) of El Paso Eastwood and No. 3 Greg Sanders (28-1) of San Antonio Reagan. But he defeated Sanders earlier this season and he ousted Vasquez in the state semifinals last year.

"He hasn't been tested a whole lot recently but the state tournament is always a test," Lippert said. "Anybody can beat anybody at the state tournament, and he knows that and he's ready for that."