I started wrestling at six years old for the local club, Roane Lightning. My mother was the one that wanted me to wrestle because her brothers had done so growing up. She decided that since my dad was out of town for work, it would be a great opportunity to take me to my first practice since my father wasn’t huge on wrestling at first.

 

 

 

Through my youth wrestling career, I became friends with Cory Stainbrook. We later wrestled together on a club team in Akron. Cory is just one of those friends that will remain a lifelong friend no matter where our lives will take us. Cory did a lot for me when I transferred here and is now my current roommate. He’s a just a great friend that I am glad to have met through this great sport.

 

 

The recruiting process for college was fun. It allows you to see a lot of new places and broaden your scope while at the same time having a good time. However, I really thought I was going to follow in my father’s footsteps and play college football. I decided late in the year to wrestle at senior nationals for one last tournament and ended up having a great showing. I got a lot of scholarship offers following that that performance, and shortly after, I decided to refocus on wrestling and go for it.

 

 

I spent my first two years out of state, at a smaller Division I program. For my first two seasons, I competed at 149 pounds. I was nationally ranked and won a league title, qualifying for NCAAs. However, I disagreed with the coaching staff on certain elements, and was extremely unhappy. My unhappiness consumed my thoughts and daily life - it turned into all I thought about. I couldn’t study, couldn’t eat or focus, and I was slowly pushing away all my friends, becoming depressed and isolated. Luckily, I noticed the changing behavior and decided to make a decision for nobody other than myself and make a change. I ended up back in West Virginia and at WVU. I guess the rest is history.