WHEELING – Bo Jordan’s wrestling career has taken him a lot of places over the years.

The current Ohio State Buckeye, however, had never been to Wheeling even though he’s seen the signs for it many times around Columbus.

When Jordan opted to accept the invitation to serve as one of the top clinicians at the second annual Wheeling Jesuit University wrestling camp last week, he happened to mention it to one of his roommates, who knew exactly where the McDonough Center was.

St. Clairsville High graduate Dominic Prezzia, who is also a current OSU grappler, was one of the first guys Jordan told about the camp opportunity. Not necessarily for any reason other than just talking to a buddy. Then Jordan learned something new.

“I actually didn’t realize that Dom went to high school around here or that it was even close,” Jordan said. “I told him I was going to Wheeling for a clinic and he was like, ‘dude, I live right near there.'”

With the directions down, Jordan brought his expertise that saw him earn all-American status last March and win four OHSAA state titles.

Jesuit was fortunate to land Jordan for a day of its camp because he’s not doing many this summer. The majority of his focus lies with the 2015-16 season and trying to move up the NCAA podium to win a national championship as an individual.

“I love helping little kids out and if I’m able to make a difference in a kid’s life and help him in wrestling that’s awesome,” Jordan said. “I love what I do and everytime I get a chance to do a clinic without it interfering with my training schedule, I’m going to do it.”

While most would be tickled pink with a bronze medal in Division I wrestling, Jordan isn’t like most when it comes to the mats.

“You can look at it a lot of different ways, but I’m happy with what I accomplished,” Jordan said. “I didn’t finish the way I wanted to, but helping our team win a national championship is the next best thing.”

He was the nation’s top recruit after losing just one prep match in four years under his father, Jeff, at national and Ohio power Graham Local in St. Paris.

After sitting out with a redshirt in 2013-14, Jordan hit the mats for the Buckeyes with his eyes on the prize.

He finished second at the Big Ten Championship, losing to his cousin, Isaac, who competes at Wisconsin.

“That was just another wrestling match,” Jordan said. “Everyone’s tough. He got the better of me that day.”

Helping to ease the individual sting of coming up short in the NCAA Tournament was that the Buckeye claimed team championship, making it five straight seasons where Jordan was an active member of the squad that finished with a title.

Jordan’s win in the consolation final was one of the key victories in locking up the title for the Buckeyes before Logan Stieber and Nathan Tomasello won national championships that evening.

Still, Jordan’s goal of joining the elite of the elite with four national titles was denied.

“Not being able to win four championships kind of stinks, but I’m not going to sit back and whine about it,” Jordan confessed. “I’ve got to do the next best thing I can and that’s try to win three. I have to get the first one first and there are only 10 national champions a year, so to be one of those guys takes a lot training, effort and work. It’s still not guaranteed.”

While Jordan, Tomasello, national runnerup Kyle Snyder and all-American Kenny Courts all return this winter for the Buckeyes, finding a way to fill the void left by Stieber’s graduation is going to be quite the challenge.

“Logan’s irreplaceable,” Jordan said. “There’s not going to be like him ever again. His work ethic, his character and the way he handled his business every day are the things that make him irreplaceable. People forget how hard it is to be that good.”

Whether it’s having the ability to wrestle with guys like Stieber or for Coach Tom Ryan or simply to wear the Scarlet and Gray at all, Jordan considers himself blessed.

“I’m thankful to be at an awesome university, surrounded by great people,” Jordan said. “All of the teams at Ohio State have the same mindsets. We train hard and it was pretty cool to see so many teams win national titles this year.”

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AS FOR PREZZIA, Jordan indicated he’s doing quite well as the work toward the 2015-16 season continues. Prezzia saw some action this season for the Buckeyes.

“Dom’s doing great and training really hard,” Jordan said. “We lift together all the time and get workouts in. He’s a great guy. I love him.”

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THE OFF-campus house that Jordan, Prezzia and a few other Buckeye matmen lived in lost a member in November when OSU wrestler and football player Kosta Karageorge was found dead in the days leading up to the Michigan football game.

“Kosta was the most motivating guy I’ve ever met,” Jordan said. “No one could make me laugh like he did. He was an uplifting guy. You just never know what people are going through or what inner demons people may have.”

Jordan and the rest of the Buckeyes carried that memory into and throughout the season.

“It was difficult,” Jordan said. “We tried to take every day like it could have been our last, regardless of who we were talking to. We all told our parents and friends we loved them probably more than ever. We just approach everything by being happy because you never know. We live in a world where nothing is guaranteed.”

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THE BUCKEYES have yet to receive their national championship rings, according to Jordan. He expects them shortly before next season starts.

“It’s a long (wait), but as soon as I get that sucker, I’m not taking it off,” Jordan said.