Jacobson wrestled folkstyle at Elkhorn High School in Wisconsin, but when he tried Greco-Roman, he was hooked. He gave up folkstyle to wrestle Greco-Roman full-time, and then went to Northern Michigan University to take part in the school’s Greco-Roman training program.

“Not a lot of guys do it. That’s not the most popular thing to do. But if you want to become an Olympian in Greco, that’s what you do. You go win medals. You leave folkstyle early, you go straight to Greco,” he said.

Since dedicating himself to Greco-Roman, Jacobson has competed for the U.S. at the U23 and U20 world championships. At just 21, Jacobson wants to continue to grow as a wrestler at Northern Michigan.

“We got some dogs up there. We are really a family. There’s a brotherhood. It really takes a community… I couldn’t do this without any of my teammates. They’re all helping me, all push me to my limits,” he said.

Jacobson wrestled at 77 kg at the U23 World Championships and moved up to 87kg for the Olympic trials, and found this weight suited him well.

“It allows me to eat to my full potential. Be strong, not cutting weight; worrying on the wrestling, not cutting weight,” he said. “I used to be a small guy. Always. I got that quickness to me. And that kind of helps me with the big guys.”

Jacobson is hoping that speed and strength will turn into an Olympic medal in Paris. Those were the same qualities that helped another Payton become a sporting legend.