My name is Josiah Thomas, I am a freshman and wrestler at Arcadia University. After my mom had me to try multiple sports from a very young age, I fell in love with football first. Wrestling was a sport that someone told my mom would help me improve in football, so she signed me up. I started wrestling at age 11, and at first, I hated it. I was competing against kids who had been wrestling since they were six years old, and I lost constantly. It was frustrating and discouraging, and I thought about quitting more than once. After my first year, however, my youth wrestling coach pulled me aside and told me he saw something special in me and that I shouldn’t quit. That conversation changed the direction of my life. For the next several years, I wrestled in the winter while playing football in the fall, but by eighth grade I realized wrestling was more than just a sport to me, it was something I wanted to fully commit to. I began training year-round to prepare for high school and was proud to earn a varsity spot my freshman year, maintaining this throughout all four years of my high school career. While Folkstyle wrestling is primarily practiced in the United States, the international styles, Freestyle and Greco-Roman, are featured in the Olympics. After my injury during in the spring of my sophomore year, I decided to try Greco in the offseason and immediately loved it. I am now training to compete in the U20 Greco qualifier this May, with the goal of earning a spot on the World Team. Outside of wrestling and school, I work part-time at Dick’s Sporting Goods and volunteer with my local NAACP branch, helping with the annual book bag drive and Juneteenth festivities. I also volunteer in an annual softball game between local police officers and students that helps build relationships and bring the community together. Giving back to my community is important to me because I believe success is not just about personal achievements, but also about helping others. Wrestling has taught me discipline, resilience, and how to overcome adversity. I have faced losses, injuries, setbacks, and personal hardships, but I never quit. Wrestling has shaped me into the person I am today, and I will continue to use the lessons it has taught me to continue to succeed in college, athletics, and life. My dream after college is open up a wrestling room where I can coach the next generation of wrestlers.

My Aunt Josetta/Grandmother was with me from the start. She helped my mom raise me by watching me as a baby overnight while she worked. She was also the one who would pick me up from Headstart and watch me until my mom came home from work as I got older. She helped raise my mother, so I guess she was only excited to help raise me. My Aunt Josey, as we called her, spoiled me like a grandmother would her grandson. When my mom would say "no", she would say "yes" unless it would harm me, and then she would take the time to explain to me why the answer was "no". She was firm, but gentle and would do anything for her family. She was known for her sewing skills. She could make anything from nothing, and was the families go to seamstress. One year for my elementary school lip-sync contest she stayed up all night making me a shirt that replicated Bruno Mars, as I performed his "24k Magic" song. My aunt wasn't a big sports fan, so I was ok with the fact that she wouldn't come watch me wrestle but she would always call to see how I did. She loved me and would motivate me by telling I could do anything I put my mind to, and she would also keep reminding me that "in life you need a plan A, B, C, D, and E" and that any lesson she learned in her life she paid for, so she wanted to make sure we never made the same mistakes. My Aunt Josey fell at the age of 82 and was soon after diagnosed with Breast Cancer. Due to her age the doctors wouldn't operate to remove the tumor. Instead, she underwent Chemo. As a family we all spent years telling her she wasn't allowed to die, and somewhere in the back of my mind, I didn't believe she would ever die, because that would mean she was leaving me. However, after a year of treatment on December 18, 2023, just at the beginning of my junior year of wrestling, she finally said goodbye to all of us, this was the first time in my life, I truly lost someone close and dear to me. Her death affected the way i wrestled that season and my coaches along with my family helped me through that rough patch. I miss her every day, and especially when my mom gets on my nerves, I can hear her voice in my head telling me to "be patient, she is right". This year as I wrestled my freshman year in college, I missed her more than ever. So, on a pair of my wrestling shoes, I wrote her date of birth and death along with her favorite bible verse to remind me that she is always there. She was the best gift God ever gave my mother and me. I will forever and always miss and love her.

My Aunt Josetta/Grandmother was with me from the start. She helped my mom raise me by watching me as a baby overnight while she worked. She was also the one who would pick me up from Headstart and watch me until my mom came home from work as I got older. She helped raise my mother, so I guess she was only excited to help raise me. My Aunt Josey, as we called her, spoiled me like a grandmother would her grandson. When my mom would say "no", she would say "yes" unless it would harm me, and then she would take the time to explain to me why the answer was "no". She was firm, but gentle and would do anything for her family. She was known for her sewing skills. She could make anything from nothing, and was the families go to seamstress. One year for my elementary school lip-sync contest she stayed up all night making me a shirt that replicated Bruno Mars, as I performed his "24k Magic" song. My aunt wasn't a big sports fan, so I was ok with the fact that she wouldn't come watch me wrestle but she would always call to see how I did. She loved me and would motivate me by telling I could do anything I put my mind to, and she would also keep reminding me that "in life you need a plan A, B, C, D, and E" and that any lesson she learned in her life she paid for, so she wanted to make sure we never made the same mistakes. My Aunt Josey fell at the age of 82 and was soon after diagnosed with Breast Cancer. Due to her age the doctors wouldn't operate to remove the tumor. Instead, she underwent Chemo. As a family we all spent years telling her she wasn't allowed to die, and somewhere in the back of my mind, I didn't believe she would ever die, because that would mean she was leaving me. However, after a year of treatment on December 18, 2023, just at the beginning of my junior year of wrestling, she finally said goodbye to all of us, this was the first time in my life, I truly lost someone close and dear to me. Her death affected the way i wrestled that season and my coaches along with my family helped me through that rough patch. I miss her every day, and especially when my mom gets on my nerves, I can hear her voice in my head telling me to "be patient, she is right". This year as I wrestled my freshman year in college, I missed her more than ever. So, on a pair of my wrestling shoes, I wrote her date of birth and death along with her favorite bible verse to remind me that she is always there. She was the best gift God ever gave my mother and me. I will forever and always miss and love her.

I always thought the way to get through adversity was to work hard and try new things. I have learned so far that in wrestling and life, sometimes just working hard won't help you overcome adversity. Sometimes you need God and have to have faith to keep fighting despite the adversity to overcome and accomplish your dreams and goals. I started wrestling at age 11 and I didn’t like it at first, my mom forced me into the sport, and I knew nothing about it and I didn't like losing. My youth wrestling coach told me he saw something special in me and to keep going after my first year. For the next 2 years I wrestled in the winter only while playing football in the fall. My love for wrestling continued to grow, and finally in 8th grade I decided that wrestling was going to be my only sport. Freshman year I made varsity and I was excited, but that quickly turned to hurt as I was not winning like I had hoped. My high school coaches kept encouraging me and telling me that freshman year would be my hardest and I had hoped they were right. My sophomore year started out promising until I had a season ending injury, I broke my sternum during a Christmas tournament. My season was over, and I was depressed. I would still show up to practice to support my teammates but it was hard not being able to be on the mat with them. By the time I was cleared to get back on the mat it was time for post season wrestling. For the first time I decided to try Greco wrestling and found a new love. Right out the gate I made it states but fell short of Fargo. I continued to train in the summer whenever I could to get ready for my junior season. As the season began I felt like I was not performing on the mat the way I performed in practice. My confidence took a hit and I had a death of a family member who was more of a grandmother figure to me. I had to work hard through another bout of depression. With the help of God, my family, and my coaches, who continued to believe in me when I didn't believe in myself, I decided to give Greco another run to hopefully make it to Fargo. I did fall short in the blood rounds of states once again. Going into my senior year I began to doubt I would be good enough to compete collegiately, and wondered if I was good enough to be recruited. During the summer of my senior year I decided to go for it and I reached out to a couple of coaches to help recruit myself. This opened the doors and coaches started reaching out and recruiting me. For the first time I was able to see what others saw in me. I was able to commit to Arcadia University for wresting. I am excited not just at my opportunity to wrestle in college, but I want to join an RTC program to train and make a run for the world team one day. When I'm done wrestling, I am hoping to open my own youth wrestling program and coach the next generation. Coaches have said wrestling is 80% mental and 20% physical, but I believe it's 90% mental. I know I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for God and I'm praying everyday he keeps me.

I always thought the way to get through adversity was to work hard. I have learned so far that in life, sometimes just working hard won't help you overcome adversity. Sometimes you need God and have to have faith to keep fighting despite the adversity to overcome and accomplish your dreams and goals. I started wrestling at age 11 and I didn’t like it at first, my mom forced me into the sport, and I knew nothing about it and I didn't like losing. My youth wrestling coach told me he saw something special in me and to keep going after my first year. My love for wrestling continued to grow, and finally in 8th grade I decided that wrestling was going to be my only sport. Freshman year I made varsity and I was excited, but that quickly turned to hurt as I was not winning like I had hoped. My high school coaches kept encouraging me and telling me that freshman year would be my hardest. My sophomore year started out promising until I had a season ending injury, I broke my sternum during a Christmas tournament. My season was over, and I was depressed. I would still show up to practice to support my teammates but it was hard not being able to be on the mat with them. For the first time I decided to try Greco wrestling and found a new love. Right out the gate I made it states but fell short of Fargo. As my junior season began I felt like I was not performing on the mat the way I performed in practice. My confidence took a hit and I had a death of a family member who was more of a grandmother figure to me. I had to work hard through another bout of depression. With the help of God, my family, and coaches, who continued to believe in me when I didn't believe in myself, I decided to give Greco another run to hopefully make it to Fargo. I did fall short in the blood rounds of states once again. Going into my senior year I began to doubt I would be good enough to compete collegiately, and be good enough to be recruited. During the summer of my senior year I decided to go for it and I reached out to a couple of coaches to help recruit myself. This opened the doors & coaches started reaching out and recruiting me. For the first time I was able to see what others saw in me. I committed to Arcadia University for wresting. I am excited not just at my opportunity to wrestle in college, but I want to join an RTC program to train and make a run for the world team. When I'm done wrestling, I am hoping to open my own youth wrestling program and coach the next generation. I know I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for God and I'm praying everyday he keeps me.

I always thought the way to get through adversity was to work hard and try new things. I have learned so far that in wrestling and life, sometimes just working hard won't help you overcome adversity. Sometimes you need God and have to have faith to keep fighting despite the adversity to overcome and accomplish your dreams and goals. I started wrestling at age 11 and I didn’t like it at first, my mom forced me into the sport, and I knew nothing about it and I didn't like losing. My youth wrestling coach told me he saw something special in me and to keep going after my first year. For the next 2 years I wrestled in the winter only while playing football in the fall. My love for wrestling continued to grow, and finally in 8th grade I decided that wrestling was going to be my only sport. Freshman year I made varsity and I was excited, but that quickly turned to hurt as I was not winning like I had hoped. My high school coaches kept encouraging me and telling me that freshman year would be my hardest and I had hoped they were right. My sophomore year started out promising until I had a season ending injury, I broke my sternum during a Christmas tournament. My season was over, and I was depressed. I would still show up to practice to support my teammates but it was hard not being able to be on the mat with them. By the time I was cleared to get back on the mat it was time for post season wrestling. For the first time I decided to try Greco wrestling and found a new love. Right out the gate I made it states but fell short of Fargo. I continued to train in the summer whenever I could to get ready for my junior season. As the season began I felt like I was not performing on the mat the way I performed in practice. My confidence took a hit and I had a death of a family member who was more of a grandmother figure to me. I had to work hard through another bout of depression. With the help of God, my family, and my coaches, who continued to believe in me when I didn't believe in myself, I decided to give Greco another run to hopefully make it to Fargo. I did fall short in the blood rounds of states once again. Going into my senior year I began to doubt I would be good enough to compete collegiately, and wondered if I was good enough to be recruited. During the summer of my senior year I decided to go for it and I reached out to a couple of coaches to help recruit myself. This opened the doors and coaches started reaching out and recruiting me. For the first time I was able to see what others saw in me. I was able to commit to Arcadia University for wresting. I am excited not just at my opportunity to wrestle in college, but I want to join an RTC program to train and make a run for the world team one day. When I'm done wrestling, I am hoping to open my own youth wrestling program and coach the next generation. Coaches have said wrestling is 80% mental and 20% physical, but I believe it's 90% mental. I know I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for God and I'm praying everyday he keeps me.

I always thought the way to get through adversity was to work hard and try new things. I have learned so far that in wrestling and life, sometimes just working hard won't help you overcome adversity. Sometimes you have to "will" yourself to keep trying and to keep fighting despite the adversity to overcome and accomplish your dreams and goals. I started wrestling at age 11 and I didn’t like it at first, my mom forced me into the sport, and I knew nothing about it and I didn't like losing. My youth wrestling coach told me he saw something special in me and to keep going after my first year. For the next 2 years I wrestled in the winter only while playing football in the fall. My love for wrestling continued to grow, and finally in 8th grade I decided that wrestling was going to be my only sport. Freshman year I made varsity and I was excited, but that quickly turned to hurt as I was not winning like I had hoped. My high school coaches kept encouraging me and telling me that freshman year would be my hardest and I had hoped they were right. My sophomore year started out promising until I had a season ending injury, I broke my sternum during a Christmas tournament. My season was over, and I was depressed. I would still show up to practice to support my teammates but it was hard not being able to be on the mat with them. By the time I was cleared to get back on the mat it was time for post season wrestling. For the first time I decided to try Greco wrestling and found a new love. Right out the gate I made it states but fell short of Fargo. I continued to train in the summer whenever I could to get ready for my junior season. As the season began I felt like I was not performing on the mat the way I performed in practice. My confidence took a hit and I had a death of a family member who was more of a grandmother figure to me. I had to work hard through another bout of depression. With the help of my coaches, who continued to believe in me when I didn’t believe in myself, I decided to give Greco another run to hopefully make it to Fargo. I did fall short in the blood rounds of states once again. Going into my senior year I began to doubt I would be good enough to compete collegiately, and wondered if I was good enough to be recruited. During the summer of my senior year I decided to go for it and I reached out to a couple of coaches to help recruit myself. This opened the doors and coaches started reaching out and recruiting me. For the first time I was able to see what my current coaches saw in me. This year has turned out to be my best year record wise. I was able to commit to Arcadia University for wresting. I am excited not just at my opportunity to wrestle in college, but I want to join an RTC program to train and make a run for the world team one day. Once I am done with wrestling, I am hoping to one day open my own youth wrestling program and coach the next generation, and become a mentor within my community.

I always thought the way to get through adversity was to work hard and try new things. I have learned so far that in wrestling and life, sometimes just working hard won't help you overcome adversity. Sometimes you have to "will" yourself to keep trying and to keep fighting despite the adversity to overcome and accomplish your dreams and goals. I started wrestling at age 11 and I didn’t like it at first, my mom forced me into the sport, and I knew nothing about it and I didn't like losing. My youth wrestling coach told me he saw something special in me and to keep going after my first year. For the next 2 years I wrestled in the winter only while playing football in the fall. My love for wrestling continued to grow, and finally in 8th grade I decided that wrestling was going to be my only sport. Freshman year I made varsity and I was excited, but that quickly turned to hurt as I was not winning like I had hoped. My high school coaches kept encouraging me and telling me that freshman year would be my hardest and I had hoped they were right. My sophomore year started out promising until I had a season ending injury, I broke my sternum during a Christmas tournament. My season was over, and I was depressed. I would still show up to practice to support my teammates but it was hard not being able to be on the mat with them. By the time I was cleared to get back on the mat it was time for post season wrestling. For the first time I decided to try Greco wrestling and found a new love. Right out the gate I made it states but fell short of Fargo. I continued to train in the summer whenever I could to get ready for my junior season. As the season began I felt like I was not performing on the mat the way I performed in practice. My confidence took a hit and I had a death of a family member who was more of a grandmother figure to me. I had to work hard through another bout of depression. With the help of my coaches, who continued to believe in me when I didn’t believe in myself, I decided to give Greco another run to hopefully make it to Fargo. I did fall short in the blood rounds of states once again. Going into my senior year I began to doubt I would be good enough to compete collegiately, and wondered if I was good enough to be recruited. During the summer of my senior year I decided to go for it and I reached out to a couple of coaches to help recruit myself. This opened the doors and coaches started reaching out and recruiting me. For the first time I was able to see what my current coaches saw in me. This year has turned out to be my best year record wise. I was able to commit to Arcadia University for wresting. I am excited not just at my opportunity to wrestle in college, but I want to join an RTC program to train and make a run for the world team one day. Once I am done with wrestling, I am hoping to one day open my own youth wrestling program and coach the next generation, and become a mentor within my community.

I have been very blessed to not only have my father in my life, but also father figures that have helped me along my journey to getting into college. I love my dad, but sometimes it seemed like the his expectations of me cause our relationship to be strained. I sometimes didn't feel as though i could talk to him. My father and my mother were not together so I am the product of co-parenting. This was hard and left me sometimes feeling stuck between my parents. My youth football coached stepped up as both a mentor and confidant. He has taken me under his wing to help me mature both mentally and emotionally. Things I don't feel like I can speak to my parents about, he is there and always willing to give me sound advise. He challenges me to be a better person, young adult, so that I can be a better man in the future. He reminds me that "it takes a village". My coach has shown up at every major event in life, from prom send offs, to wrestling matches and lastly my graduation party this past weekend. My coach is not just my mentor, but he mentors a lot of minority young men in my community. He has become a "father" to a lot of fatherless young men. watching him step up for me and others, helped me becoming a mentor to kids younger than me. I gave up football in 9th grade to focus on wrestling, I have had coaches on and off the mat that have stepped up to become mentors to me as well. This has shaped how I view life, and has led to me wanting to open up my own Wrestling gym in the future. I want to not only train the next generation of wrestlers, but I want to become a mentor like the mentors God has blessed me with in my life. Now that I have gradated high school and as I head off to college, the conversations I have had with my dad, have helped help me understand him better, and with this new "understanding" I am able forgive and grow that relationship. I believe that every child needs both their parents in their life to be a well rounded individual. However, when one or both parents can't be there, God will always put people in our lives to help guide our way. I have be blessed to have a few men, that I know I will make very proud one day.

I always thought the way to get through adversity was to work hard and try new things. I have learned so far that in wrestling and life, sometimes just working hard won't help you overcome adversity. Sometimes you have to "will" yourself to keep trying and to keep fighting despite the adversity to overcome and accomplish your dreams and goals. I started wrestling at age 11 and I didn’t like it at first, my mom forced me into the sport, and I knew nothing about it and I didn't like losing. My youth wrestling coach told me he saw something special in me and to keep going after my first year. For the next 2 years I wrestled in the winter only while playing football in the fall. My love for wrestling continued to grow, and fianlly in 8th grade I decided that wrestling was going to be my only sport. Freshman year I made varsity and I was excited, but that quickly turned to hurt as I was not winning like I had hoped. My high school coaches kept encouraging me and telling me that freshman year would be my hardest and I had hoped they were right. My sophomore year started out promising until I had a season ending injury, I broke my sternum during a Christmas tournament. My season was over, and I was depressed. I would still show up to practice to support my teammates but it was hard not being able to be on the mat with them. By the time I was cleared to get back on the mat it was time for post season wrestling. For the first time I decided to try Greco wrestling and found a new love. Right out the gate I made it states but fell short of Fargo. I continued to train in the summer whenever I could to get ready for my junior season. As the season began I felt like I was not performing on the mat the way I performed in practice. My confidence took a hit and I had a death of a family member who was more of a grandmother figure to me. I had to work hard through another bout of depression. With the help of my coaches, who continued to believe in me when I didn’t believe in myself, I decided to give Greco another run to hopefully make it to Fargo. I did fall short in the blood rounds of states once again. Going into my senior year I began to doubt I would be good enough to compete collegiately, and wondered if I was good enough to be recruited. During the summer of my senior year I decided to go for it and I reached out to a couple of coaches to help recruit myself. This opened the doors and coaches started reaching out and recruiting me. For the first time I was able to see what my current coaches saw in me. This year has turned out to be my best year record wise. I was able to commit to Arcadia University for wresting. I am excited not just at my opportunity to wrestle in college, but I want to join an RTC program to train and make a run for the world team one day. Once I am done with wrestling, I am hoping to one day open my own youth wrestling program and coach the next generation. Coaches have said wrestling is 80% mental and 20% physical, but I believe it is 90% mental. Wrestling is how I overcome adversity for life.

I always thought the way to get through adversity was to work hard and try new things. I have learned so far that in wrestling and life, sometimes just working hard won't help you overcome adversity. Sometimes you have to "will" yourself to keep trying and to keep fighting despite the adversity to overcome and accomplish your dreams and goals. I started wrestling at age 11 and I didn’t like it at first, my mom forced me into the sport, and I knew nothing about it and I didn't like losing. My youth wrestling coach told me he saw something special in me and to keep going after my first year. For the next 2 years I wrestled in the winter only while playing football in the fall. My love for wrestling continued to grow, and fianlly in 8th grade I decided that wrestling was going to be my only sport. Freshman year I made varsity and I was excited, but that quickly turned to hurt as I was not winning like I had hoped. My high school coaches kept encouraging me and telling me that freshman year would be my hardest and I had hoped they were right. My sophomore year started out promising until I had a season ending injury, I broke my sternum during a Christmas tournament. My season was over, and I was depressed. I would still show up to practice to support my teammates but it was hard not being able to be on the mat with them. By the time I was cleared to get back on the mat it was time for post season wrestling. For the first time I decided to try Greco wrestling and found a new love. Right out the gate I made it states but fell short of Fargo. I continued to train in the summer whenever I could to get ready for my junior season. As the season began I felt like I was not performing on the mat the way I performed in practice. My confidence took a hit and I had a death of a family member who was more of a grandmother figure to me. I had to work hard through another bout of depression. With the help of my coaches, who continued to believe in me when I didn’t believe in myself, I decided to give Greco another run to hopefully make it to Fargo. I did fall short in the blood rounds of states once again. Going into my senior year I began to doubt I would be good enough to compete collegiately, and wondered if I was good enough to be recruited. During the summer of my senior year I decided to go for it and I reached out to a couple of coaches to help recruit myself. This opened the doors and coaches started reaching out and recruiting me. For the first time I was able to see what my current coaches saw in me. This year has turned out to be my best year record wise. I was able to commit to Arcadia University for wresting. I am excited not just at my opportunity to wrestle in college, but I want to join an RTC program to train and make a run for the world team one day. So far my personal achievement is being able to wrestle in college. Once I am done wrestling, I am hoping to one day open my own youth wrestling program give what has been giving to me and coach/ mentor the next generation.

I always thought the way to get through adversity was to work hard and try new things. I have learned so far that in wrestling and life, sometimes just working hard won't help you overcome adversity. Sometimes you have to "will" yourself to keep trying and to keep fighting despite the adversity to overcome and accomplish your dreams and goals. I started wrestling at age 11 and I didn’t like it at first, my mom forced me into the sport, and I knew nothing about it and I didn't like losing. My youth wrestling coach told me he saw something special in me and to keep going after my first year. For the next 2 years I wrestled in the winter only while playing football in the fall. My love for wrestling continued to grow, and fianlly in 8th grade I decided that wrestling was going to be my only sport. Freshman year I made varsity and I was excited, but that quickly turned to hurt as I was not winning like I had hoped. My high school coaches kept encouraging me and telling me that freshman year would be my hardest and I had hoped they were right. My sophomore year started out promising until I had a season ending injury, I broke my sternum during a Christmas tournament. My season was over, and I was depressed. I would still show up to practice to support my teammates but it was hard not being able to be on the mat with them. By the time I was cleared to get back on the mat it was time for post season wrestling. For the first time I decided to try Greco wrestling and found a new love. Right out the gate I made it states but fell short of Fargo. I continued to train in the summer whenever I could to get ready for my junior season. As the season began I felt like I was not performing on the mat the way I performed in practice. My confidence took a hit and I had a death of a family member who was more of a grandmother figure to me. I had to work hard through another bout of depression. With the help of my coaches, who continued to believe in me when I didn’t believe in myself, I decided to give Greco another run to hopefully make it to Fargo. I did fall short in the blood rounds of states once again. Going into my senior year I began to doubt I would be good enough to compete collegiately, and wondered if I was good enough to be recruited. During the summer of my senior year I decided to go for it and I reached out to a couple of coaches to help recruit myself. This opened the doors and coaches started reaching out and recruiting me. For the first time I was able to see what my current coaches saw in me. This year has turned out to be my best year record wise. I was able to commit to Arcadia University for wresting. I am excited not just at my opportunity to wrestle in college, but I want to join an RTC program to train and make a run for the world team one day. Once I am done with wrestling, I am hoping to one day open my own youth wrestling program and coach the next generation. Coaches have said wrestling is 80% mental and 20% physical, but I believe it is 90% mental. Wrestling is how I overcome adversity for life.

I always thought the way to get through adversity was to work hard and try new things. I have learned so far that in wrestling and life, sometimes just working hard won't help you overcome adversity. Sometimes you have to "will" yourself to keep trying and to keep fighting despite the adversity to overcome and accomplish your dreams and goals. I started wrestling at age 11 and I didn’t like it at first, my mom forced me into the sport, and I knew nothing about it and I didn't like losing. My youth wrestling coach told me he saw something special in me and to keep going after my first year. For the next 2 years I wrestled in the winter only while playing football in the fall. My love for wrestling continued to grow, and fianlly in 8th grade I decided that wrestling was going to be my only sport. Freshman year I made varsity and I was excited, but that quickly turned to hurt as I was not winning like I had hoped. My high school coaches kept encouraging me and telling me that freshman year would be my hardest and I had hoped they were right. My sophomore year started out promising until I had a season ending injury, I broke my sternum during a Christmas tournament. My season was over, and I was depressed. I would still show up to practice to support my teammates but it was hard not being able to be on the mat with them. By the time I was cleared to get back on the mat it was time for post season wrestling. For the first time I decided to try Greco wrestling and found a new love. Right out the gate I made it states but fell short of Fargo. I continued to train in the summer whenever I could to get ready for my junior season. As the season began I felt like I was not performing on the mat the way I performed in practice. My confidence took a hit and I had a death of a family member who was more of a grandmother figure to me. I had to work hard through another bout of depression. With the help of my coaches, who continued to believe in me when I didn’t believe in myself, I decided to give Greco another run to hopefully make it to Fargo. I did fall short in the blood rounds of states once again. Going into my senior year I began to doubt I would be good enough to compete collegiately, and wondered if I was good enough to be recruited. During the summer of my senior year I decided to go for it and I reached out to a couple of coaches to help recruit myself. This opened the doors and coaches started reaching out and recruiting me. For the first time I was able to see what my current coaches saw in me. This year has turned out to be my best year record wise. I was able to commit to Arcadia University for wresting. I am excited not just at my opportunity to wrestle in college, but I want to join an RTC program to train and make a run for the world team one day. Once I am done with wrestling, I am hoping to one day open my own youth wrestling program and coach the next generation. Coaches have said wrestling is 80% mental and 20% physical, but I believe it is 90% mental. Wrestling is how I overcome adversity for life.

I started wrestling at age 11. I didn’t like it at first because I was going up against kids who had been wrestling since they were 6 years old and I was getting beat. After my first year, my youth wrestling coach said he saw something special in me and told me to keep going. For the next 2 years I wrestled in the winter only while playing football in the fall. My love for wrestling continued to grow, and in 8th grade I decided that wrestling was going to be my only sport. I started wrestling all year long as I prepared for high school. I was super excited when I made varsity my freshman year, but that quickly turned to sadness as I got beat all year long. My high school coaches encouraged me that freshman year would be my hardest and boy I had hoped they were right. My sophomore year started out promising until I broke my sternum with my own chin during a Christmas tournament. My season was over, and I was depressed. I would still show up to practice to support my teammates but it was hard not being able to be on the mat with them. By the time I was cleared to get back on the mat it was time for the Freestyle/Greco season to begin. For the first time I decided to try Greco and found a new love. My first year out the gate and I made it states! I continued to to train in the summer whenever I could to get ready for my junior year of high school. Once again I felt like I was not able to perform on the mat the way I performed in practice. My confidence took a hit and I lost my Aunt who was more of a grandmother figure to me. I had to work hard through another bout of depression. With the help of my coaches, who continued to believe in me when I didn’t believe in myself, I decided to focus on my upcoming senior year. In the off season once again I decided to give Greco another run to hopefully make it to Fargo. I did fall short in the blood rounds of states and I started preparing for my senior year. Coming into this year, I began to get discouraged that I wasn’t good enough to get recruited for the next level. I reached out to a couple of coaches to help recruit myself. This opened the doors and coaches started reaching out and recruiting me. First the first time I was able to see what my current coaches saw in me. As my senior is winding down, this year has turned out to be my best year. I am excited for post season where I hope to make a run at regionals and states. In the off season I am going to make a strong run for Fargo. I am excited at my opportunity to wrestle in college as well as an RTC program to train and make a run for the world team one day. Once I am done with wrestling, I am hoping to one day open my own youth wrestling program and coach the next generation. While going to school and wrestling I work part time at Dick’s Sporting Goods and I also volunteer with my local NAACP branch with helping out with the book bag drive and Juneteenth festivities. I also volunteer in the annual softball game with local police departments and students to help bridge the gap and ease fears.

I started wrestling at age 11. I didn’t like it at first because I was going up against kids who had been wrestling since they were 6 years old and I was getting beat. After my first year, my youth wrestling coach said he saw something special in me and told me to keep going. For the next 2 years I wrestled in the winter only while playing football in the fall. My love for wrestling continued to grow, and in 8th grade I decided that wrestling was going to be my only sport. I started wrestling all year long as I prepared for high school. I was super excited when I made varsity my freshman year, but that quickly turned to sadness as I got beat all year long. My high school coaches encouraged me that freshman year would be my hardest and boy I had hoped they were right. My sophomore year started out promising until I broke my sternum with my own chin during a Christmas tournament. My season was over, and I was depressed. I would still show up to practice to support my teammates but it was hard not being able to be on the mat with them. By the time I was cleared to get back on the mat it was time for the Freestyle/Greco season to begin. For the first time I decided to try Greco and found a new love. My first year out the gate and I made it states! I continued to to train in the summer whenever I could to get ready for my junior year of high school. Once again I felt like I was not able to perform on the mat the way I performed in practice. My confidence took a hit and I lost my Aunt who was more of a grandmother figure to me. I had to work hard through another bout of depression. With the help of my coaches, who continued to believe in me when I didn’t believe in myself, I decided to focus on my upcoming senior year. In the off season once again I decided to give Greco another run to hopefully make it to Fargo. I did fall short in the blood rounds of states and I started preparing for my senior year. Coming into this year, I began to get discouraged that I wasn’t good enough to get recruited for the next level. I reached out to a couple of coaches to help recruit myself. This opened the doors and coaches started reaching out and recruiting me. First the first time I was able to see what my current coaches saw in me. As my senior is winding down, this year has turned out to be my best year. I am excited for post season where I hope to make a run at regionals and states. In the off season I am going to make a strong run for Fargo. I am excited at my opportunity to wrestle in college as well as an RTC program to train and make a run for the world team one day. Once I am done with wrestling, I am hoping to one day open my own youth wrestling program and coach the next generation.