GHS Senior to Attend Simpson University on Wrestling Scholarship

GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) – Surrounded by his family, coaches, and future teammates, Gridley High School Senior Jaden Taylor was guest of honor at his commitment ceremonies held at Simpson University, Redding campus March 18^th. Taylor will be attending Simpson University on a $20,000 wrestling scholarship.

Taylor began his wrestling career with Gridley’s Recreation wrestling program at 5 years old, eventually working with Yuba-Sutter Combat Wrestling Inc. until 8^th grade, where he placed 5^th in State. He then moved on to wrestle for Gridley High School where he worked with Coaches David Klingsheim and Asan Khan, and met, trained, and wrestled with Alec Flores and Jeffrey Rosales. In 2019, Taylor lost both teammates to two very different, equally tragic events: Flores was struck and killed by a vehicle, Rosales, lost to suicide.

Taylor’s close friend and Coach, Asan Khan, says that after that series of ill events – the loss of his friends, his wrestling career not moving in the direction he would like, and then COVID-19 – Taylor made the decision to buckle down hard. Taylor’s mother, Rachael Montgomery adds, “That was a hard patch for him. He just continued to work through it…. just take it to the mat every time.”

Private workout sessions with the Khan family were fine tuning the wrestler’s highly competitive skills and renewed drive and ambition in Taylor were noticed by his coaches. Coach Khan says, “I found his work ethic incredible…. he never complains…. he just goes and goes…. He’s just such a tremendous teammate.” Khan says Taylor’s dedication is impressive, that the wrestler is not one to back down or be intimidated by a larger competitor and that the quiet, talented, and driven athlete is on the verge of greatness.

Taylor, who is described as a “man of few words” shares how wrestling has both pushed him to be better and comforted him during difficult times. “It’s like an escape I guess,” he says. “When I was younger, everything was about strength… I always wanted to be the fastest, I wanted to be the strongest, so that motivated me.” But now, “if anything has gone wrong in my life, or like I’m depressed or like just had a hard patch in life, I’ve always had wrestling to take my mind off everything.” Taylor looks forward to challenging himself further, “not for the fame,” but recognition of his hard work and discipline.

Wrestling begins September 8^th at Simpson University and Taylor is ready for it. Khan says, “He’s very hungry…. he’s motivated” and the training at the college level will hone his skills further. “I’m so proud of him.” Coach Khan continues, “The best years of wrestling are ahead of him…. He’s going to be amazing.”