Justin Matson '22 Recruiting Profile

Being a runner-up & All-American at the Pre-Season Nationals in the 220lbs. division for the 2019/20 season, it really set-in how close I was to the top.  Followed by making the top 10 list of Minnesota wrestlers and High School team Captain as a sophomore, it is very motivating to think of where I could be in 2 plus years.

Coach Jake Clark (7X U.S. National Team Member, 2X Olympic Alternate plus much more) shared with me the words “Justin’s work ethic and coach-ability are top notch.  Our Wrestle-Jitsu Club in Central Minnesota preaches the motto: Champions On and Off the mat.  With Justin that’s exactly what you can expect…and exactly what you’ll get.”

During the summer of 2019,  I was recruited to wrestle for the Minnesota USA wrestling Cadet team in both Greco Roman and Freestyle. They worked me hard, but I was prepared.  I spent many hours at the gym and on the mat. I split more firewood with my Dad by hand than I’d ever care to see again.  I work at our local McDonalds, in-between my studying and practices to earn some spending money.  My coach would give me grief for “possibly being the toughest McDonalds worker ever”, knowing that I’d finish my shift by running the 7 miles home. Our team took Gold in both Greco Roman and Freestyle as National Champions and personally, I, had some big wins against some of the country’s best. 

My Grandpa was a wrestler, an All-American from Minnesota in the 60’s.  He wrestled while he was in the Army and missed the 1964 Olympics by a couple of matches, while that story is being told, I’m creating my own to follow.