USC On The Mat: Interviews All-American Nick Cegelski
Nick Cegelski is a junior at the University of Southern California studying public relations and entrepreneurship. Hailing from Rochester, New York, Nick traveled to sunny Los Angeles in 2012.
At USC, Nick immediately emerged as a leader on campus. An all-state wrestler in high school, Nick realized there was no opportunity for him to wrestle competitively for his university. He chartered and grew the USC wrestling team to over 40 active wrestlers. In 2013 he made history at USC by becoming the program’s first NCWA All-American.
Facts about the USC wrestling team
•Team competes in the National Collegiate Wrestling Association (NCWA), making them eligible to compete with NJCAA, NCAA, NAIA and NCWA teams.
•Club was founded in spring 2012 by Rusty Handler with other six wrestlers
•First NCWA competition season was 2012-2013
-4th Place at the West Coast Conference championships
-Crowned first NCWA All-American, 149 lb. team captain, Nick Cegelski
-Placed 45th of 90 teams at the NCWA Nationals
AWP -Nick, can you please tell us about your wrestling career in New York as a high school wrestler?
Nick -I grew up in Rochester, New York and wrestled for Penfield High school from 7th-12th grade. In 2012, I placed 6th at the New York State Wrestling Championships and was awarded the sportsmanship award for NYS Section V.
AWP -How did it feel to become a two-time NCWA All-American?
Nick -Earning NCWA All-American honors for the second year in a row was an energizing feeling. I have poured my life into this sport and have spent hundreds of hours working to building USC’s team so that I would even have the opportunity to continue wrestling. My goal was to win the whole tournament, but I competed at a far higher level than I did last season and was not terribly disappointed with my 4th place finish. I really wanted to set an example for my teammates. Our team needed to understand that our team has the capability to win at the NCWA championships and I think I helped solidify that confidence in their minds.
AWP -What brought you to Los Angeles to attend the University of Southern California and start a wrestling club?
Nick -The University of Southern California is known internationally as one of the best universities in the world. I earned full academic scholarship to the #1 journalism school in the country, located in the heart of Los Angeles in sunny southern California. Academics have always been my highest priority, and the scholarship offer USC gave me was too good to turn down. Once I graduated high school, I thought I had closed the wrestling chapter of my life. Things proved differently once I arrived at USC. Wrestling had been far too important a part of my life to easily let go. I was faced with a very difficult decision: stay at USC and live a life without wrestling or transfer to another university to compete in the sport that I loved. With the help of my high school wrestling coach, John Leone (NCAA Division III Champion), I was able to find the perfect solution. Instead of leaving to wrestle, I would stay at USC and start a wrestling program. Hundreds of hours of work later, we’ve moved that much closer to become a legitimate team. The ultimate goal of our wrestling program at USC is to one day become an NCAA DI, school-sponsored, program.
AWP -How long have you been working on bringing the club to USC?
Nick -I have been working to build the wrestling program at USC since September of my freshman year of college.
AWP -How receptive has the AD and students been to the idea of having wrestling in Los Angeles?
Nick -The void of collegiate wrestling in Los Angeles is noticeable; it is not surprising that the demand for a wrestling team is growing. The athletic department is always interested in how its club sports teams are faring, and the USC Wrestling team has been in contact with the athletic department, and its administrators. However, we have no indication at this time as to what the future may present for wrestling at the institution.
For full interview go to: http://www.associatedwrestlingpress.com/news_article/show/423144?referrer_id=1023868
More Information...
At USC, Nick immediately emerged as a leader on campus. An all-state wrestler in high school, Nick realized there was no opportunity for him to wrestle competitively for his university. He chartered and grew the USC wrestling team to over 40 active wrestlers. In 2013 he made history at USC by becoming the program’s first NCWA All-American.
Facts about the USC wrestling team
•Team competes in the National Collegiate Wrestling Association (NCWA), making them eligible to compete with NJCAA, NCAA, NAIA and NCWA teams.
•Club was founded in spring 2012 by Rusty Handler with other six wrestlers
•First NCWA competition season was 2012-2013
-4th Place at the West Coast Conference championships
-Crowned first NCWA All-American, 149 lb. team captain, Nick Cegelski
-Placed 45th of 90 teams at the NCWA Nationals
AWP -Nick, can you please tell us about your wrestling career in New York as a high school wrestler?
Nick -I grew up in Rochester, New York and wrestled for Penfield High school from 7th-12th grade. In 2012, I placed 6th at the New York State Wrestling Championships and was awarded the sportsmanship award for NYS Section V.
AWP -How did it feel to become a two-time NCWA All-American?
Nick -Earning NCWA All-American honors for the second year in a row was an energizing feeling. I have poured my life into this sport and have spent hundreds of hours working to building USC’s team so that I would even have the opportunity to continue wrestling. My goal was to win the whole tournament, but I competed at a far higher level than I did last season and was not terribly disappointed with my 4th place finish. I really wanted to set an example for my teammates. Our team needed to understand that our team has the capability to win at the NCWA championships and I think I helped solidify that confidence in their minds.
AWP -What brought you to Los Angeles to attend the University of Southern California and start a wrestling club?
Nick -The University of Southern California is known internationally as one of the best universities in the world. I earned full academic scholarship to the #1 journalism school in the country, located in the heart of Los Angeles in sunny southern California. Academics have always been my highest priority, and the scholarship offer USC gave me was too good to turn down. Once I graduated high school, I thought I had closed the wrestling chapter of my life. Things proved differently once I arrived at USC. Wrestling had been far too important a part of my life to easily let go. I was faced with a very difficult decision: stay at USC and live a life without wrestling or transfer to another university to compete in the sport that I loved. With the help of my high school wrestling coach, John Leone (NCAA Division III Champion), I was able to find the perfect solution. Instead of leaving to wrestle, I would stay at USC and start a wrestling program. Hundreds of hours of work later, we’ve moved that much closer to become a legitimate team. The ultimate goal of our wrestling program at USC is to one day become an NCAA DI, school-sponsored, program.
AWP -How long have you been working on bringing the club to USC?
Nick -I have been working to build the wrestling program at USC since September of my freshman year of college.
AWP -How receptive has the AD and students been to the idea of having wrestling in Los Angeles?
Nick -The void of collegiate wrestling in Los Angeles is noticeable; it is not surprising that the demand for a wrestling team is growing. The athletic department is always interested in how its club sports teams are faring, and the USC Wrestling team has been in contact with the athletic department, and its administrators. However, we have no indication at this time as to what the future may present for wrestling at the institution.
For full interview go to: http://www.associatedwrestlingpress.com/news_article/show/423144?referrer_id=1023868
More Information...