Ryan Forrest '20 Recruiting Profile

For the past 10 years wrestling has been my passion, my focus, and my pride. In the 2019 Sectional Championship tournament I was just one match away from an automatic bid to the State Championships. Unfortunately, it wasn’t my night and I suffered a tough defeat to the State’s top ranking wrestler. The realization I had come so far to come up short was daunting.

The call a week later “You’re Going To States” was a shock and a welcome reprieve. I had been awarded the last available wildcard of 5 in all of New York. I remembered the years of training extra hours, camps in the off season to pick up new techniques, and the blood, sweat and tears I shed to compete at this level. Here was my shot, my season wasn’t over yet!

With two weeks left till States, I had to stay focused. I couldn't let myself get lazy and put weight back on or get out of peak condition. I practiced every day after school with the best and most talented wrestlers in Western New York. Practicing with them helped me to discover how much I really did belong. These kids were just like me, working years in the off season to hone their skills, sacrificing time with friends and family to achieve goals. With reassurance and support from my coaches and family, I fought hard in 2 close matches at the State tournament. Despite losing both, the experience from competing at the State level set my mind for the upcoming season and my goals for the road ahead.

As I work and train for my final season as a high school wrestler, I hope by the time I walk on your college campus in the fall, I will have added “State Champion” to my resume. If not, I have grown to understand the values my coach and the sport of wrestling has taught me about life. Hard work, perseverance, getting knocked down and getting back up isn’t something to fear, but a chance for growth and to learn about myself. Wrestling is part of me and has helped mold me into the person I am today. I look forward to my future and will always be thankful for the way wrestling has shaped my life.