Personal Statement
Wrestling for me was not an easy sport. I began my wrestling career as a 220 pound freshman, not even realizing I had to wear a singlet. As I struggled to learn the sport, I seriously considered quitting because I felt I would never be good enough to be successful. However, I made a conscious decision that I would stick and not quit wrestling. I had quit many sports prior, including soccer, basketball, football, baseball, and Taekwondo. However, unlike other sports, wrestling gave me a rush and satisfaction of physicality that other sports could not replicate. I forced myself to learn to be a wrestler. I learned how to things like push through another live wrestling round, even when my neck and back hurt. I learned how to cut weight. I learned how to balance my body on my neck in a bridge (this was particularly challenging for me to learn as it was painful). I learned how to do a single leg, a double leg, and a half nelson after thousands and thousands of failed attempts. Eventually, through this process of becoming a wrestler, I developed self control and discipline that I never thought possible. Because of wrestling's discipline, I found myself completing a challenge that I had struggled with my whole life-weight loss. I went from 238 pounds to 173 in one summer. Through this journey I not only gained self confidence, but even more self discipline as a wrestler. Although it sounds strange, this self discipline even translated to my academic life: I was able to study and work more efficiently. Wrestling has taught me many things in my life but one lesson stands out: In every situation, every shot, and every second, if you hustle and move with intention, grit, and purpose, you will always score. Whether it be dieting, studying, lifting, or wrestling a tough match, if you have the self discipline to be focused and tough every second, you will succeed.
