Sports dilemma

Jun0602

5-Year Member
Joined
Apr 26, 2014
Messages
33
Hello everyone,


I've wrestled for 3 years in high school. My team won 2nd and 3rd place all-island competition as a team, but I never won any individual awards (like tournaments) so my background isn't so great. USNA has been my dream school for quite a while, but I never thought of wrestling for the school until recently.

I was talking to my wrestling coach earlier, and he recommended me to try out a local summer wrestling camp. He said that if my wrestling career turns out well, he and the camp instructor can write letters so it can help me get accepted to USNA and wrestle for the school. And this got me thinking.

Now my dilemma is: My high school wrestling career isn't so hot and I have 1 more year (senior year). Does it still help for me to apply to USNA with intention of joining the wrestling team? Thank you.
 
Having done sports in HS will definitely be a plus for your USNA application. I would say, realistically, in order for you to wrestle for the Academy on their DIV 1 team, you would need to be a very, very strong individual performer. If your personal wrestling career has been "less than stellar" I don't think one summer wrestling camp would improve your skills enough to get to that level. They recruit top athletes to the academies. Contact the coach at the Academy and see what he has to say. Maybe there is a club or intramural wrestling team that you can participate in at the Academy to continue to pursue your wrestling passion.
 
You never know-maybe you're a late bloomer. I say give it a shot. If nothing else it shows determination and a good work ethic and you will derive some benefit from it.
I was kind of a late bloomer to my sport as well. My coach shot off an email to the coach at USNA about me in spring of my junior year and they were very interested. I was a little shocked but I continued to improve and my confidence did as well.
So I am about to enter USNA as a RA and a member of the Class of 2018. Couldn't be more thrilled. Best of luck to you
 
Whenever I come across a candidate who is intensely interested in playing a Div I level sport at a service academy, I always ask them, "What service community do you plan to serve in?" Because, there are some that are so competitive that you have to hit the ground running on day 1. Class standing often plays a big role - depending on the community. Division I sports are a time sump. The few perks associated with it (like not marching) seldom compensates for the time lost in studies. Unless you are one of those special people who can "do it all" - one has to ask themselves, "How much do I love this sport?"

For instance, would the enjoyment of playing the sport for four years offset the misery of serving in a community in which you find no enjoyment?
 
If one is able to compete at that level and has the desire to do so, he/she should give it their best shot. If one then finds he can't keep all the plates spinning, then he can make an adjustment at that time. Not trying is rarely the right answer. My opinion.


Sent using the Service Academy Forums® mobile app
 
Having done sports in HS will definitely be a plus for your USNA application. I would say, realistically, in order for you to wrestle for the Academy on their DIV 1 team, you would need to be a very, very strong individual performer. If your personal wrestling career has been "less than stellar" I don't think one summer wrestling camp would improve your skills enough to get to that level. They recruit top athletes to the academies. Contact the coach at the Academy and see what he has to say. Maybe there is a club or intramural wrestling team that you can participate in at the Academy to continue to pursue your wrestling passion.

Thank you for your reply. I agree with you. I will definitely find a way or another, but I'll determine whether wrestling is still right for me after the last season. Thank you!
 
You never know-maybe you're a late bloomer. I say give it a shot. If nothing else it shows determination and a good work ethic and you will derive some benefit from it.
I was kind of a late bloomer to my sport as well. My coach shot off an email to the coach at USNA about me in spring of my junior year and they were very interested. I was a little shocked but I continued to improve and my confidence did as well.
So I am about to enter USNA as a RA and a member of the Class of 2018. Couldn't be more thrilled. Best of luck to you

Thank you for the encouragement. if you dont mind sharing, what sport are you playing? For how long have you been playing and did you receive any awards? Glad to hear about your enrollment to the academy! Wish you best luck too!
 
Whenever I come across a candidate who is intensely interested in playing a Div I level sport at a service academy, I always ask them, "What service community do you plan to serve in?" Because, there are some that are so competitive that you have to hit the ground running on day 1. Class standing often plays a big role - depending on the community. Division I sports are a time sump. The few perks associated with it (like not marching) seldom compensates for the time lost in studies. Unless you are one of those special people who can "do it all" - one has to ask themselves, "How much do I love this sport?"

For instance, would the enjoyment of playing the sport for four years offset the misery of serving in a community in which you find no enjoyment?

Thank you for your reply. This had me thinking. With the last season remaining, I'll see what's best for me. Either way I will apply to USNA. Thank you for the useful info.
 
If one is able to compete at that level and has the desire to do so, he/she should give it their best shot. If one then finds he can't keep all the plates spinning, then he can make an adjustment at that time. Not trying is rarely the right answer. My opinion.


Sent using the Service Academy Forums® mobile app

Thank you for the encouragement. I'll see what's best for me after this season. It'll be definitely different because I've been wrestling just as a hobby and never gave my 100% because I was involved with other extracurricular activities. Now with a different mindset, i'll give it all.
 
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