Connor Mahoney '18 Recruiting Profile

When I was a freshman and sophomore wrestling in the 170lb weight class I would listen to the seasoned wrestlers of my team talk about their plans to go "two-and-out" at tournaments we were attending. They would say things along the lines of "We can't really compete with these farm boys, so why bother?". I couldn't stand that mentality, I hated the idea of accepting defeat. However, I didn't start wrestling till I was a freshman, and for the first two years I took more beatings on the mat than I care to admit. But my freshman year I also formed a goal for myself, I wanted to get my name on the wall of State Placers in the Blanchet Wrestling Room. I got to go to State for the 170lb weight class my sophomore year and took two severe thrashings. I decided after my first failed-foray at State that I needed to get stronger; so I started lifting weights. I came back my junior year at 200lbs and decided to wrestle in the 220lb weight class instead of 195lb, I lost again.  So in the off-season I wrestled at club and went to Greco State, taking 4th in the process. When Folkstyle came around again my senior year I was weighing 230lbs and ready to get my name on the wall. Wrestling at 220lbs I took top three every tournament I went to, I was feeling good about State. My season ended with me taking sixth, which means I got my name on the wall. Yet I am not satisfied with my name on the wall, I am convinced that I haven't come close to my potential as a wrestler. I am ready to dedicate the next four years of my life so that I can accomplish great things in the sport that has become my passion.