McLean County Times

Illinois Wesleyan University is celebrating the 50th anniversary of NCAA Division III by highlighting stories from its athletic department. One of these stories features Jess Baer, a senior at Illinois Wesleyan University who has taken on multiple roles beyond being a student-athlete.

Baer, a neuroscience major and the first women's wrestler at the university, also serves in the United States Army National Guard and works as a cardiovascular and ICU technician at a local hospital. She enlisted in the military at 17, becoming her family's first service member.

“I pretty much approached it like everything else in life and said ‘That looks challenging, I’m an adrenaline seeker, so let's try it,’” Baer said about joining the military.

As a combat medic in the National Guard, Baer manages her studies around her demanding schedule. “When I get back from drill it's extremely stressful. It's usually a couple of all-nighters trying to catch up on everything,” she shared. Her professors and coaches have been supportive of her commitments.

In addition to her academic and military duties, Baer joined Illinois Wesleyan University's new women’s wrestling team this year. “It’s very important to me... Hopefully, I can make it a comfortable environment for other females who want to come here in the future,” she expressed about being the first female wrestler on the team.

Baer's involvement extends beyond sports; she is part of Psi Chi psychology honors society and holds an executive position with the National Society for Leadership and Success. After graduation, she plans to pursue graduate studies in clinical psychology with a focus on military psychology.

Baer's experience exemplifies how Division III athletics provide flexibility for students to explore various aspects of their lives. “Division III is perfect for me because it allows me to be involved in wrestling but gives me freedom outside of the sport,” Baer stated.

Her journey reflects personal growth through diverse interactions within college life. “Being forced into an environment to interact with teammates all the time has gotten me friends on campus,” she noted.

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