| I began my wrestling career at the age of 13, and I used to hate wrestling with a passion. I wrestled, but I did not wrestle with the intent of making it a part of my life. However, it all changed the summer before entering my Sophomore year in high school. I went to a J-Robinson Intensive-Camp in Oregon with other Nevada wrestlers; such as Ryder Marchello and Dawson Downing, and I believe Ian Timmins was there. It was a tough camp and the bond Dawson, Ryder and I created made it memorable. The J-Robinson gave me a kick-start to fulfilling the need of being resilient through the adversities that would come across me. Although, I did not make it to State my Sophomore year, I reached a new level of wrestling. |
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| By the end of my Junior year, I would become a State Runner-Up; although it was never the result I wanted for myself, and it was never something I would be content with. I continued to train along with Team Nevada over the summer. I got in contact with Dan Burgess who I formally refer to as “Dirty Dan” and in-return he refers to me as “Killer.” I will say, Burgess, has made an impact on my life and further gave me a reason to continue my wrestling career throughout Iowa Nationals, Northern-Michigan OTC, and Fargo. A month before Fargo I suffered an injury that would significantly impact my life during a Greco practice. I had torn my rotator-cuff and fractured my acromion; however, my stubborn mentality left me to only rest for a week or two, and ignorant to what was damaged. |
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I wrestled throughout the last week of the camp as I continued my preparation for Fargo. The same stubborn mentality of mine tried to wrestle through the pain of a dislocated shoulder. It put a toll on my life that I would never forget. It forced me to not quit wrestling, but pause it momentarily. This was always a misconception by the perception of others. I wrestled my last summer of Fargo in 2017. Although I was not an All-American I had a few wins despite having to suffer through that injury. A person’s life goes through several seasons that they least expect. We are not always able to anticipate the relentless storms that are brought upon us. Albeit the capabilities a human can perform in adapting to their environment. The authorship of my own journey took course in the state of Kansas. It was a “door-of-opportunity” that I opened for myself. It was motivated by several factors: the yearning desire to wrestle once more, the construction of my own genesis, and to experience what the world had to offer by taking ownership of my own life. |
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| This is exactly what I did, I began to experience all the lost times by making up for it at Baker University. I currently have a GPA of 3.32; My Major is Psychology, and my Greek Affiliation is Kappa Sigma. I cannot express my gratitude in just words for the coaching staff of Baker Wrestling, and the wrestling team altogether. My gratitude can be expressed by my actions in the present. I have always said: “the choices we make now, will ultimately alter our future” and that will never be forgotten. If I can express my gratitude for the coaches, I would like to begin with Coach May. Coach May is the pipeline between Nevada and Kansas, and a man of guidance that paved the way for my self-prophecy. His sacrifice and love for Baker Wrestling is unconditional. Coach May always encouraged me along the route. I will cherish my times watching criminal documentaries and Flo Wrestling matches with him. Coach Rhoads is like a big brother that I am able to talk with about nearly anything. |
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| Coach Rhoads has a great sense of empathy, and our philosophical discussions enhanced my perspective of myself like a beacon of enlightenment. Coach Garcia is a phenomenal technician and mentor. Garcia has improved my wrestling exponentially, just the same as improving my way of life. Garcia offered each wrestler a moment to self-seek a mantra that resonates within them. I chose the Latin expression “Si Vis Pacem; Para Bellum” that translates to “if you want peace, prepare for war.” This quote was conceived by the Roman General Vegetius. Vegetius theorized “the army grew weak from being idle during a long time of peace and stopped wearing its protective armor. This made them vulnerable to enemy weapons and to the temptation to flee from battle.” The time to prepare for war is not imminent but rather when times are peaceful or in other words, if there is a time for war, there must be a time for peace. |
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| If you want to achieve peace, prepare for war. However, there were others who extended their hand, a brotherhood I could not imagine. I often saw these men with warm hearts at the top and helping hands along the route. I have often looked at them as a very good symbol of fraternity.
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