- 2016 Highlights
Personal Statement
In 5th grade after playing football and baseball for six years, I decided to try wrestling. One year later, I decided to wrestle exclusively. I learned very young three important things:
- If I worked hard enough, good things will come.
- The only thing anyone is owed in life is a chance to prove themselves.
- If I wanted something . . . I would have to earn it.
Starting wrestling in 5th grade for the most part meant I would be wrestling kids with as much as five years more experience than I had. It also meant five less years of potential injuries. So I pushed forward practicing sometimes five or six times a week with private lessons and tournaments. Soon it began to pay off.
In 7th and 8th grade I won the championship in my school league both years and was voted MVP both years. I also won the league championship and placed 3rd in the recreation league those same years.
As a freshman, my record was 31-11. I was a District Champion, lost the Region Championship by one point to a nationally ranked wrestler, and competed in the State Championship. I placed 4th at the Northeast Regional Freestyle Championship and was a member of Team New Jersey at the Fargo Freestyle Nationals.
As a sophomore I had a record of 35-8, was a District Champ, Region Champ, placed 8th at the State Championships and placed 8th at the NHSCA Sophomore Nationals. I was a member of Team New Jersey competing in Greco and Freestyle in Fargo.
As a junior, my record was 39-4. I was a District Champion, Region Runner-Up and once again competed at the State Championships. After falling short of my expectations, I realized it was time to get bigger and stronger. I am strength training three days a week while practicing two days a week with limited competitions on the weekend. I placed second at NJ Freestyle States at 132 lbs.
I am the youngest wrestler to achieve All American status in my school and the first to break 100 wins as a junior. One of my goals this year is to break the school record for career wins which is currently 141. The other goal I have this year is to be the first wrestling State Champion my school has had in 10 years.
As I approach my senior year, I am looking for a university that will challenge me academically and push me to be the best I can be on and off the mat. I realize that truly great people surround themselves with great people and that's where I want to be.
