- 2016 Highlights
Personal Statement
Some of the most important characteristics I have been encouraged to build in myself are leadership, kindness, dedication, and a good work ethic. My parents, teachers, and coaches would tell you that I work hard to improve myself and to help others while I am in athletics, school, activities, and church. When I am on teams, I am not the person who stands out as the superstar because those people tend to have big egos and overlook others. Instead, I'm the guy who is encouraging others, showing my hard work in action instead of words, and giving my all to learning and performing.
This past season I had the goal to make my way to the state tournament. My coaches believed in my skills, and I believed in myself. I started a bit slowly, but pushed and trained hard in to make my dreams a reality. Unfortunately, over Christmas break I had an injury that changed my season. I landed hard on the right side of my face, fracturing my jaw. I didn't say anything to my parents until January 9 because I was afraid it could end my season. On January 11, the oral surgeon confirmed my fears. My jaw was broken, and he told me I should hang up my singlet for the season. I decided not to, and supported by my parents and coach, I kept up with my matches. I didn't train with the team; I worked on cardio and lifted as I could instead. Coach put me on the mat when I was able to show my teammates that team comes before me and that we follow through with commitments we make. I was happy to take a loss if it meant that I could be a role model for my team. My goal (along with my coaches) was to win, if possible, but also to keep the point loss to a minimum as my team had a great chance at making the state tournament. During that time I wrestled six matches, winning 1 and losing the others at one fall and four decisions. Things were looking up until January 29 when my season came to a crashing halt. In the first match of the conference tournament I was wrestling the #1 seed. In the second period I was down 5-2 when I pulled out of referee's position only to have my left leg caught under me. I heard a rip, fell to the mat, and knew it was over. I had a partial tear of my MCL and meniscus. Despite this, I continued with the team, warmed up (with a big brace under my sweatpants), and served as a decoy in the last matches of the season. Our team took 2nd in the section, just missing our chance at the state tourney.
With everything that happened in the past few months, I have made a new set of commitments. I will continue to train as my body lets me. Physical therapists cleared me to begin training again, and I'm ready to get back on the mat more. I plan to try out for the Minnesota Storm's Greco team this summer. I have a schedule to keep myself in great physical shape. I will also be preparing for my senior football season where the coaches have asked me to consider being the quarterback, for the first time in my life, because we don't have anyone who is emotionally ready to take on this job. In school, I've been working hard too. My academics have taken a positive turn. I have brought my GPA up from a 2.5 at the end of my sophomore year to having a 3.4 GPA for first semester of my junior year and a 3.2 at the end of second semester. I currently spend more time studying and reading, even doing summer reading for next year's classes. I have also enrolled in 2 AP courses for next year along with 2 college courses. On the personal front, I plan to be more active in my community. This is a commitment my family strongly believes in. Our wrestling club will be having a camp for youth this summer, and I will be working with the coaches to build the kids who want to follow after us.
What makes me different from other athletes is that I study the game. I study the plays and moves. I make sure I know the ins and outs of what I do so that I can not only be better myself but that I can help my teammates. I believe in sports and teams and building individuals to be their best. My major philosophies are that team comes first and that I need to push myself physically and mentally to prove that success is possible.
When I get to college, I would like to be a member of a wrestling team while studying to be physical education/health/adaptive PE teacher. I believe this would help me to work with others on improving themselves and help me to be the best person I can be. I think these things go together very well. Someday, I would like to work with youth and adults to make themselves healthy, happy people and athletes.
