Personal Statement

People have described me as a wrestler with a funky style.  Exciting to watch, someone who mixes it up and who, for better or worse, is ready to go at all times (a true "mat rat" according to one of favorite coaches).  To be clear, there is absolutely nothing I would rather do than wrestle!  

I started the sport, by some measures late (4th grade), and lost just about every match that first year.  Looking back, I think it was even tough for my parents but when asked at the end of the season if I wanted to continue, my answer was a resounding...YES!  I guess even then I believed that if I kept working hard, I would eventually move from 4th place to 1st on that podium.

As a 7th grader, barely breaking that 100 pound threshold, I joined the high school program.  A whole new world, practice every day (which, unlike most of my teammates, I loved), and a partner who has since gone on to win 3 MN State Championships.  Not a bad deal for me at all. Even more important was the family I established with my coaches and teammates.  All the time spent between training, matches, tourneys - the jokes, the mental and physical challenge, the emotional highs and lows - the bonds made. It is a sport like no other. 

Most recently I've gone All-Conference my 8th - 10th grade year, took 2nd at sections as a Sophomore where I was one match shy of placing rounds at  MN High School State (120 / AAA), was the champion in March 2019 at the MNUSA Folkstyle State Tournament (126/ Cadet), and took 4th place in May 2019 at the MNUSA Greco State Tournament (132 / Cadet).  I was looking forward to seeing what I might be able to accomplish this past year as a junior but tore my ACL the summer before school started. The blow was a big one and I found myself in the unlikely position of spectator vs competitor.  I watched a kid I beat at camp the previous summer 8-0 take 2nd at state. A hard pill to swallow but I maintained my involvement with my team, helped out with the youth program and am stronger and more thankful because of it.

I've always been passionate but now I'm hungry and keenly aware of the importance of resilience. I've put many months into PT, been cleared, and am training with both my old and new coaches.  I will continue to put the time and effort required to see results on the mat and in my academics for this last year of high school and beyond.  Again, I love wrestling to the core so hope to keep it going through college at the most competitive level possible.