Skyler Hickman '23 Recruiting Profile

My name is Skyler Hickman. I'm 16 years old, and I will be a senior at Canyon View High School, Waddell, Arizona. My goal is to learn as much as possible about Business and Economics, earn my degree, and continue to be a productive member of society. My other single most important goal that I have is to become an NCAA All-American.

I was born in Pordenone, Italy, where my father, an American airman, and my mom, an Italian archeologist met and later married. I grew up speaking Italian, and have spent my entire life traveling the world as my father completed his 22-year career in the Air Force. Growing up, my mom instilled a very strong work ethic in my studies, which is evident by my 4.27 weighted GPA. Since I could walk, my dad has taught me and my younger brother how to work hard on the mat.

My wrestling opportunities have been very different from your typical high school wrestler. We spent many of our first years wrestling freestyle when my dad was stationed in Germany and Italy. We would travel all over Europe, wrestling in freestyle and Greco-Roman tournaments. When I was 11 years old, my brother and I won the Italian National Freestyle Championship. I made a lot of international friends and wonderful memories. 

During my first year of high school at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, I won the Department of Defense European Activity (DODEA) Wrestling Championship at 106 lbs, with a record of 28-1.  Last year, when we returned to the U.S., my dad got stationed at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. It was a challenging transition for my family to move during COVID-19, and it took a little time for me to get back into a normal routine, but I worked really hard this past year, and I won the Arizona State Division 2 Wrestling Championship at 126 lbs, ranked overall #2 in the state with a record of 26-1. Recently, I placed 3rd in GR & FS in the Junior Division at the 2022 USAW Western Regionals Tournament, where I qualified for Fargo.

I realize I probably don't have the resume of a nationally ranked wrestler, but my parents have taught me to always outwork anybody in the room, and I believe if you would give me the opportunity, you would agree that I give 100% in everything I do, every single day. I am not afraid of hard work. In fact, I thrive off of it. I would love the opportunity to connect and discuss mutual goals for the future!