| My wrestling journey began when I was around 9 years old. My dad always kept my brother and I in sports to keep us productive and out of trouble. By the time I was 9 I had been playing football, basketball, baseball, and soccer, but I seemed to have fallen in love with the sport of wrestling. My earliest memory of the sport was a practice at HUG high school where I stepped on the mat with a pair of Air Jordans. I felt so out of place and so out of my comfort zone, but my dad insisted that I give it a try. Little did I know this moment would change my life, and little did I know I would end-up falling in love with the sport for good. This was a moment in my life that I’m truly grateful for because it opened multiple windows for me to succeed. |
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| The first few years of my wrestling journey were bumpy and painful, due to the fact that I’d get beat up by the local boys every weekend. Even though I wasn’t really good at the sport, I didn’t let it discourage me because I knew that if I worked hard enough and harder than them, I’d eventually catch up to their level. As time progressed I noticed that I was closing the gap every time I wrestled them, and it became a feeling that I was hooked on. |
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| It wasn’t till my 8th grade year that I was winning tournaments and realized that I was good and could actually do something with the sport. By the time I was a Freshman I had built confidence in myself and knew that I could be even better! My Freshman and Sophomore years were crucial years when it came to my development and mindset, as my dreams were crushed after going 0-2 at State my Freshman year, and getting pinned in the State Finals my Sophomore year. Even though my heart had been broken both years, I still didn’t let it discourage me from coming back stronger, as I then came back to win two State Titles. |
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As high school wrapped up and everyone was signing their way off to college, I was caught in a mental battle on whether I wanted to stay home or continue my journey in college. After talking to my parents, I decided to take a shot at a JUCO and try wrestling at the next level. My first year in college was rough but also a blast, and I fell deeply for the sport as I saw what it could offer and where it could take me. The college room was full of partners who were equally as hungry and really good at what they did! I worked hard day in and day out, knowing my time would come, where I would be able to wrestle under the lights. |
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| Things took a drastic turn my second year in college, I began to live the wrong lifestyle, had lost my drive to do anything in life and opted out of college. I left college with zero plans, no intentions on going back to school, and I got caught working 12 hours a day at a job I hated going to. As months went by of living this routine, I realized that wrestling was my way out, and I began to remember why I loved the sport to begin with. I decided to give my cousin a call who was wrestling for Graceland University at the time, and I asked him if his coach needed a 57-pounder. Luckily I made the phone call in time because his coach was looking for just that! |
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| Making the move to Graceland was one of my biggest blessings so far. Graceland has given me a second-chance to do something with my life. I knew that coach giving me a chance meant I had to give him my all. I worked my way back into shape, giving him my best my first season back, and I ended up making it to Nationals where I fell short. I’m coming up on my second season with Graceland where I’m not only looking to All-American, but also looking to claim a Title for the Yellow Jackets. |
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