Hunter Graf '18 Recruiting Profile

In 5^th 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:

1. If I worked hard enough, good things will come.
2. The only thing anyone is owed in life is a chance to prove themselves.
3. If I wanted something . . . I would have to earn it.

Starting wrestling in 5^th 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 7^th and 8^th 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 3^rd 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 4^th 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 8^th at the State Championships and placed 8^th 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.