If you are one of the thousands of watch wrestling recruits from around the country trying to make it to the college level, there are a few things you need to think about. Some things that can make the difference between wrestling at the college level or walking away from your sport after high school.
If you are among the wrestling recruits striving for the next level, here are five things you must know:
- What level of competition is right for you?
College wrestling is offered at everything from the elite Division I level all the way down to junior college. You need to do an honest evaluation of your talent and skills and decide what level of college wrestling may be right for you.
- What schools are right for you?
Once you decide what level of competition is right for you, start looking closely at the schools at that level. You need to look at the degree programs their offer, tuition costs, and how far away or close to home you want to be.
- Do I like the coaching staff?
Once you get serious about school selection and even visiting schools, you will want to evaluate the coaches you meet. Wrestling recruits such as you just have better chemistry with some coaches than others. Having good chemistry with the coach is crucial.
- Do I want to wrestle right away or red-shirt my freshman year?
Some coaches bring in wrestling recruits and allow them to wrestle right away. Other coaches like to red-shirt their freshmen to help get them ready for college level competition.
- Do I know how to market and promote myself?
Question number five may be the key question. If you have been setting the world on fire since your freshmen or sophomore season, college coaches are probably already beating down a path to your door. However, most high school wrestlers need a little help in getting the attention of college coaches.
Those five questions are the key questions wwe wrestling recruits need to ask themselves as they get ready to try and make it to the college level. If you are at this stage, I strongly suggest that you take control of your recruitment and begin contacting college coaches.
