Personal Statement
I would like to find a wrestling team and college that is the best fit for me both academically an athletically. I am looking for a competitive wrestling team that I will fit in well with, regardless of Division. I work hard in practice, in the weight room and on the mat. I challenge myself in the classroom and try to make a positive difference in my community through volunteering.
Background information:
My high school goals were to move up to heavyweight from 220 and qualify for State by Sophomore year, and win State by my Senior year. I work hard become a stronger, faster, more fluid and flexible wrestler. After the regular season, I wrestle in club and in as many tournaments as I can throughout the Spring and Summer. All while continuing my commitment to my High School Football Team as starting Varsity O-Line player, and taking the most challenging curriculum offered and maintaining a GPA of 97%, or higher, all four years.
>>I wrestled for 3 years, prior to High School for the Jr Grens Wrestling Club and the Arlington Cardinals Wrestling Club. I was a State Qualifier all 3 years. While with the Arlington Cardinals, and under Coach Jason Churak, I was the Schoolboy Greco State Champion and placed 5th at IKWF State., and placed 4th Greco State, Cadet.
>>Freshman Year (2013-14): Wrestled Varsity 220. Varsity: 30-6; 160 team pts; MVP; Varsity Letter. Placed 2nd ESCC Freshman Conference, 3rd at Varsity Regional and qualified for Sectionals. Placed 4th at Greco State. Made the decision to forgo the Second Chance Tournament and start training for my transition to Heavyweight, which will be my weight class throughout the remainder of high school and into college. >>Sophomore Football Team, starting Center, Starting D-Line. >>Principal High Honors, GPA 99.7%
>>Sophomore Year (2014-15): Wrestled Varsity Heavyweight, averaging 240 lbs. Varsity: 37-13; 189 team pts.; 24 pins; MVP; Varsity Letter. 1st Gator Classic(Guerin Prep Invitational), 2nd Glenbard Raider Invite, 2nd ESCC Varsity Conference, 1st Regionals , 3rd Sectionals, IHSA State record 2-2. Wrestling All-Area Academic. Focus on Folkstyle and weight training in off season. Attended Northwestern University Team and Intensive Camps over the Summer. Wildcat Club-Fall Clinic. Work on strength and speed. >>Varsity Football Team, starting Guard, D-line. >>Principal High Honors, GPA: 98%, Weighted Core GPA: 4.3/4.0
>>Junior Year (2015-16):
Varsity Football Team, starting right guard, D-line
Preseason: Trackwrestling Preseason Nationals-3rd Place.Wrestling Varsity HWT, averaging 245 lbs. Opening season ranked 4th in Illinois at division 2A by IL Matmen.
2015-16 Season: Fenton HS Invite-1st Place, All-Conference, Regional Champion, Sectionals-3rd, Illinois State Qualifier, Varsity Letter, Varsity MVP, Record 25-5.
Postseason: averaging 250 lbs. Freestyle, Greco with Oak Park River Forest Club, compete in individual and dual team tournaments. Competed Dual team with Chicago Outsiders, Suburban Sprawl and North Shore Edge. 1st Place -"Pinning Down Autism" Tournament, 1st place Midwest Nationals, wrestled Grand River Rumble with North Shore Elite.
Senior Year: (2016-17):
Varsity Football Team: starting Center, O-Line, D-Line
Team/School Captain and Leader of Walter and Connie Payton Toy Drive
All-Area Wrestling Honor Roll, National Honor Society, Illinois State Scholar
>>AP and Honors courses. >>ACT:34, STEM Score: 34, Science: 36 >>PSAT 1400 (99%ile)
2016-17 Season: Fenton HS Invite-1st Place, Buffalo Grove HS Invite-1st, ESCC Conference Champ, All-Conference, Regional Champ, Sectional Champ, Undefeated Season: 35-0, Illinois State Qualifier (2:2@ State) Season Record 37-2.
Committed to Brown University: November 2016
Thank you to all the coaches who followed me and took time to view my profile.
Good luck with your recruiting class.
James (Tony) Valentino
