Ask Cael: any advice that i should know to help me get into a college program?

Story Published Tuesday, March 9th, 2010

name: Erik White

question: Cael, I want to wrestle in college but im not an outstanding wrestler. wrestling has been more of a hobby then a lifestyle to me but i want to make it a bigger part of my life. i actively lift weights and run so conditioning isnt a problem of mine, its my technique that i have a problem with. any advice that i should know to help me get into a college program?
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Erik,

Most colleges have tryouts but you are probably going to have to earn your spot on the roster. To earn a spot on the team during the tryout process (and for the rest of your time on the team,) work hard, be hungry to learn, and be committed. Most programs only have so many spots on their roster. Every wrestler the staff puts on the team costs thousands of dollars over the years, takes up space in the room and so on. So show the coaches that you really want it, and make that commitment.
Show that you love the sport.

Coaches are always looking for hard working, committed kids. Be a wrestler that is pulling the team forward. There are a lot of ways to do that too. It’s not all about who can win matches, teams need the great students, they need leaders, people who live the lifestyle morally, etc. Be an asset.

If you don’t want to make that commitment, then consider joining the university club team and/or wrestle in intramurals. If your school doesn’t have those programs then get some people together and get them started. The club programs around the country are growing. I think Penn State has a club team that practices a couple times a week. That’s more of a hobby type of situation but there are some good wrestlers on the club teams.

If you are going to try and join a college team I would email the coaches and even stop by and see them. I would guess most coaches don’t advertise that students can try out for the team. Coaches don’t have to have tryouts and I don’t think many do. What they do is allow the kids that ask and pursue that they can tryout. So if you want a shot, don’t wait around for it. Let the right people know what your intentions are. Find out what you can do, and then do everything in your power to make it happen.

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