The Work Behind The Win

Since joining the University of Scranton wrestling team, I have realized that I am tougher than I anticipated. The practices are harder, the workouts are longer, and the expectations are higher than they were in high school. Looking back, it takes a lot to compete at this level, but it is nothing I cannot handle. It takes sacrifice, not only from me but from every student-athlete who is willing to put in the work to reach their goals.

Accepting that there is always room to improve is another important part of college wrestling. There will always be someone who challenges you and pushes you to become a better wrestler. Instead of getting discouraged, I have learned to use that as motivation. Competing at this level means recognizing what you need to work on and being willing to put in the effort to get better. If you want to reach your goals, you have to be willing to work for them and love what you do.

Since becoming a college athlete, I have had to adapt to a different lifestyle. I have had to go to bed earlier, wake up earlier, and manage my time better to balance wrestling with school. I have also learned that I need to be open to criticism and willing to change things about my wrestling. My teammates are hard on me at times, but I know it is because they want me to improve. I try to give them that same effort because we are all working toward the same goal.

Responding the right way when things get difficult is just as important. During one tough practice, I was struggling to get through the workout. One of the older guys reminded me that everyone was struggling and that we were all going through it together. That helped me pick my head up and finish. It taught me that I cannot let a difficult moment determine how I finish, and that having teammates beside me makes a difference. To me, these four words represent sacrifice, determination, and the willingness to become better people and athletes.

At Scranton, we are part of something bigger than ourselves. We follow the same motto and support one another, no matter what sport we play. We are a family working toward a common goal. At the end of the day, we all want to put in the work, improve every day, and win. How we reflect, accept challenges, adapt, and respond will help determine how far we can go.