Q: How does it feel making it to the State tournament for the third time as a junior?

A: “I’m blessed. I’m thankful and super excited to compete and have the chance to win a state title.”

Q: How does it feel to be a District champion and a first place regional finisher?

A: “I’m really grateful. I’ve put in a lot of time and I think I’ve done my part. I made myself very healthy and I get good sleep. And then, the extra club practices. I’m running on my own. I think I’m doing everything right. I know you can’t guarantee success, but I feel like I deserved the win. So, I’m excited.”

Q: How do you feel you did this year and how have you improved from last year?

A; “This year, I started out I wasn’t cutting one away at the beginning of the year. I took a couple really tight early losses on really good kids. I was discouraged but I’m just trusting the process. I kept working and got a little more disciplined with my weight. I got down to the right weight at 152 and now I’m ranked third in the state. I’m undefeated at 152 lbs and I feel like a well oiled machine. I’m ready to go. I improved a lot mentally. My shoulder has gotten healthier and I feel like I’ve improved on my feet as a hand player and on top.”

Q: How does it feel to accomplish this and represent your school in the State tournament?

A: “I’m great, I think loyalty is really important. And there’s something about being the hometown kid and winning for your school and that name on your singlet. Now that school that you represent, it means a lot so I’m really grateful.”

Q: How does it feel to accomplish going to States in the hardest state to wrestle in the country?

A: “Pennsylvania is definitely the hardest but my goal has always been to get here and bring home another title so I try to eat, sleep and breathe wrestling. I think about it all the time. Every decision I make, I’m thinking this is gonna help me. I’m glad I have the opportunity to go but I knew I was gonna get it’s a matter of what’s going to happen next week.”

Q: What has been your greatest barrier this year and how did you overcome it?

A: “I’d say in December around the Powerade tournament, I was sick. I wasn’t wrestling particularly my best. I was up where I was. I have my career like that early in the season so I was a little bit worried and I lost power thinking  ‘what am I doing out there?’ I was  totally overthinking and not in the right place but I talked to my club coaches and I talked to Coach Gilbert and they reminded me ‘Hey, you’re a great wrestler, you know you’re doing out there, get down to the right wit keep putting in all the time like good things are gonna happen when it matters’ and you know, again, or it’s post-season, and I’m right where I want to be.”

Q: Are you going to be continuing wrestling after high school?

A: “Yeah, I’m committed to go to Princeton University in New Jersey.”

Q: Do you have any advice for athletes or students trying to accomplish their goals?

A: “I would say don’t let anyone throw a wrench in your plans. If you set your mind to something and you really want to do it, go and get what you want. I’m going to be a district champ and do what it takes to be a district champion. Don’t say you’re gonna be a District champion and not put in the work that goes behind it. Let someone tell you you’re not because there’s five kids and distributors better than you. I work with these kids. Get obsessed with the process and don’t fall in love with winning, fall in love with the process it takes to win.”

Q: How does it feel making it to the State tournament for the second time as a sophomore?

A: “It feels good going to states for a second time.”

Q: How does it feel to be a District champion and a second place regional finisher?

A: “I feel good about being a two-time District champion and even after a tough loss, I’m still glad and blessed to be a regional finalist.”

Q: How do you feel you did this year and how have you improved from last year?

A: “This year, I was handling some adversity throughout the season and losing to people I shouldn’t lose to at the end of my season. But I’m ready to put that all behind me and kick some butt at States. Throughout the season, I had some good wins and even placed at Powerade in a tough bracket. I think I have improved a lot since last year.”

Q: How does it feel to accomplish this and represent your school in the state tournament?

A: “I love it. Getting to represent my school at the State tournament is awesome and exciting.”

Q: How does it feel to accomplish going to States in the hardest states to wrestle in the country?

A: “Knowing I’m wrestling in the hardest state there is for wrestling is awesome. Getting the opportunity to wrestle with these guys that I will probably have to wrestle against in college too. Almost everyone in my bracket has their eyes on going Division one.”

Q: What has been your greatest barrier this year and how did you overcome it?

A: “My greatest barrier is that I need more confidence and remembering that it’s just another match. I’ve been doing this since I was four years old so I know how to wrestle. I just need to believe in myself and wrestle.”

Q: Are you going to be continuing wrestling after high school?

A: “Yes, my goal is to wrestle Division one.  The highest level of wrestling there is in college. It’s been my dream since I was a little kid.”

Q: Do you have any advice for athletes or students trying to accomplish their goals?

A: “Believe in yourself and If you work really hard, you’re gonna get very good at whatever you’re doing. Everybody wants to be good until it’s time to put the work in.”

Q: How does it feel making it to the State tournament for the first time as a freshman?

A: “It feels pretty good. It’s what I’ve been working towards with wrestling my whole life.”

Q: How does it feel to be a District champion and a third place regional finisher?

A: “It feels good. Just a stepping stone in the process of getting on that State podium.”

Q: How do you feel you did this year and how have you improved from last year?

A: “I think I did pretty good wrestling through contact and in my positions.”

Q: How does it feel to accomplish this and represent your school in the State tournament?

A: “I’m honored to represent my school in the State tournament and I can’t wait to see what happens next week, I just want to get on that state podium.”