Christian Rutherford '22 Recruiting Profile

Attending Davidson College, Class of 2026

My name is Christian Rutherford, Class of 2022. I am currently 17 years old and in my Senior year. I am a student who enjoys a challenge and I have chosen to be homeschooled. This allows me to collaborate with students from all over the world while still participating in varsity sports for my local high school. If you asked people to describe me they would use words like intelligent, hard-working, and tenacious. I am not lazy and like to occupy my time with a strenuous training schedule, school sports, and civic-minded activities. 

I reside in Coventry, RI, where I am a 4-year starter for the most storied wrestling program in Rhode Island: Coventry High School. In the past, they have claimed over 20 division titles, 19 state team titles (17 being consecutive), dozens of state champions, New England champions, and in March of 2019, Rhode Island's first-ever national champion. As a Freshman, I wrestled at 138lbs but bumped up to 145lbs for my Sophomore season. I wrestled 160 lbs in my Junior year but decided to make the cut to 152 lbs for my Senior campaign.

Over the last decade, I have had to grow up faster than most. In 2012 my parents divorced, our family home burnt down and we lost all our belongings. Sadly we faced additional hardship when my dad passed away in 2018. My siblings and I are being raised by a single mother, surviving on an extremely low income. We regularly face insecurities regarding our housing, food, clothing, all school, and extracurricular activity expenses. Not knowing if you have enough money to survive every month is something I wouldn't wish on anyone. This adversity has only made me work harder and appreciate all that is given to me. When being coached or taught in the classroom, I am all in. My father introduced me to the sport of wrestling and after his death, it was the glue that kept my world together.  The times we shared on the mat, at tournaments, and seeing him cheer me on have laid the sturdiest bricks in my foundation. My wrestling family has helped me continue to develop into the man I know he would have wanted me to be on the mat and off.  

Being homeschooled has allowed me to take my education more seriously and provided me with free time to focus my energy on my commitment to my fitness regime. I am able to work out several times a day, improving my muscular coordination and speed. I am coachable and use the hardships I have faced in my life to strengthen my mindset and desire to outthink my opponent. I know how to sacrifice and I am willing to put in the effort to work my hardest and leave part of myself on the mat every day. Mentally I come prepared. With hard work, anything can be accomplished. We all start off on an equal footing, but those who want it more, who fight, can achieve any of their ambitions.

All my life I have pushed and challenged myself and college will be no different. I will be committed to my schoolwork, my team, my coach, and my training. I don’t know how to give anything but 100%. Wrestling has changed the lens with which I see the world and I cannot wait to attend a University that will prepare me to win not just on the mat, but also in life.