Enjoy a Q&A with the Illini All-American 133-pounder
by Illinois sports information student assistant Meghan Reynolds
Being your last year here at Illinois, what does this season mean to you?
It’s my last year to accomplish my goals and dreams. Everything I have put into the sport – this is it for me. We have a really good team this year, and a chance to do something special. Hopefully I laid a good foundation for the younger guys on the team.
You and Brian Glynn are both graduating this year. You’ve been through a lot together – with wrestling and rooming together. Will you stay in touch after graduation?
(Laughing) We’ve talked about this, and we actually won’t stay in touch. I’ll go my way, he’ll go his. No, we’ve grown close over the years, and we’re pretty tight knit. We’ve gotten in our fair share of fights together, but he always comes back to make up.
Are the Illini out to make some noise in Cleveland for the National Duals this year?
We’re going out there to do some damage. We want to win this thing. The top teams in the country will be out there and we’re going to show them what we’re all about.
What will that be like for you, competing so near your hometown?
I’m really looking forward to it. A lot of my friends and family haven’t been able to see me wrestle since high school. It will be nice to show the Cleveland area my skills.
Will there be added pressure competing in old stomping grounds?
No, not really. Pressure is a made-up thing in people’s heads. When I step out on the mat, everything around me is all blocked out. It’s just me and my opponent.
A few of your old high school teammates will be competing in Cleveland also, is that friendly competition for you or are you out for blood?
I’m always out for blood. Especially against my friends–just to let them know who’s boss. I always cheer for them when they are wrestling other teams. I may have the chance to wrestle Mark Moos this weekend, he’s a former St. Ed’s teammate. We’re pretty close friends. It will probably be ruthless on the mat, but we will still be friends afterwards.
Do you think this Illinois team is deserving of its No. 2 ranking?
I think so. We’ve done some good things so far this season. I don’t think we’re where we need to be as a team yet, but we’ve done well against ranked teams. I think right now we might be number two, but in the end the rankings don’t matter.
Is there anything about the last five years at Illinois that you would change?
I would have changed the first couple of years, based on my knowledge of the sport now. I wasn’t the starter at my weight during my first year of eligibility, which made it a rough season for me.
The trip to Cleveland will be a long bus ride–what will you do to pass the time?
I’m kind of used to the trip from Champaign to Cleveland. But on the bus, I will probably watch some movies and play some cards. There will be a lot of card-playing.
Who is usually the big winner in cards?
I think it rotates about every trip. I usually hold my own when I play. The biggest loser is always Carl Perry.
Speaking of Coach Perry, he picks out the movies for the trips. What is the worst movie he has ever chosen?
Man, there’s been a lot of them. Last week, he got three movies and they were all terrible. It was a general bus consensus. Beaches was probably his worst pick.
Would you nominate anyone else to pick out the flicks, like Coach Johnson maybe?
I don’t know. Coach Johnson has his runs on movies. Some repeat offenders are Seabiscuit and Braveheart. I would have to nominate myself–I have pretty good taste in movies.
Wrestling Gear
