Collegiate wrestling is generally more demanding and competitive than high school wrestling. The elite university programs recruit the wrestling hotbeds, attracting nationally ranked amateurs and champions from various states. Colleges at the NCAA Division II and Division III levels recruit the best high schools athletes in their region, as do NAIA and junior college programs. Incoming freshmen practice and sometimes compete against more experienced and physically mature wrestlers.
Practice and Training Commtiment
Collegiate wrestlers spend long hours lifting weights and practicing on the mats. Many coaches demand constant, year-round dedication to the sport. Strength-and-conditioning coaches design extensive programs for each wrestler. This is a big step up for many high school wrestlers. "They just have to get used to the volume, the workload and how hard we train at the college level," Iowa State wrestling coach Kevin Jackson told the school's website about incoming freshman to his program.
Competition Within The Team
Collegiate recruits are typically the stars of their high school and amateur teams. Once they join a collegiate program, they battle other former high school and amateur stars for an opportunity to compete in meets. Many start their careers with a "redshirt year," practicing with the team without being on the active roster. Of Jackson's 14 freshmen at Iowa State in 2011, for instance, one earned an immediate chance to wrestle in meets and a few others were moving into position to wrestle in their second year.
Experience Level of Opponents
A high school wrestler may come into a college at 17 or 18 years old. Because many colleges use redshirt years to keep players for five years, newcomers may compete against well-polished 23-year-olds. Even for competitors accustomed to "wrestling up" against older foes, this presents quite a challenge.
Skill Level of Opponents
The consistency and quality of college competition presents a stern test for incoming freshmen. For instance, Rider freshman Evan Craig won two Class AAA titles in Pennsylvania and won his last 94 matches at the high school level. Wrestling as a true freshman during the 2011-12 season, he lost 14 of 16 matches during one stretch. "Division I wrestling is very unforgiving," Ryder coach Gary Taylor told the "Scranton Times-Tribune." "Everybody's good. It's like being in the state finals every single match. Every opponent, if you do something wrong, they'll make you pay for it and you can lose the bout."
Adapting to College
Away from the mats, college wrestlers must adapt to tougher academic workloads, living away from home and meeting all the other responsibilities that student-athletes have in their new environment.
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