JJ Johnson Blog #2
Entry Date: December 10th, 2007
Well this is my second entry and I can only say that I am much more
acclimated to the college lifestyle since my last blog. My teammates
recently defeated Ohio University in a MAC showdown, 31-6, and then
won the Campbellsville Duals. Our record now stands at 4-0 as a team
(our best start in school history) and we're very excited about it.
Personally, I've wrestled in 3 open tournaments thus far. After
posting a 6-2 record at the EMU Open, I was humbed in my next two
outings, and my record now sits at 8-6. The biggest bit of advice I
would give high school wrestlers who want to wrestle at the next level
is learn to get out from bottom. Coach Bolyard says that a lot of
college wrestlers have this problem due to never really being on
bottom in high school, as they are typically upper-echelon guys who
don't face the same level of competiton, and frankly aren't on bottom
very much. It has taken some time and will take some more time, but
I'm getting used to it.
Besides getting out from bottom, the biggest difference I've noticed is how you have a, for lack of a better word, "stud" every match. In high school, you might wrestle 1-2 state-placer caliber kids each tournament. In college, virtually every wrestler has had success in high school, so you've got to be ready for an all out battle every time you step onto the mat.
Our coaching staff continues to leave an impression on me, day in and day out. Their high energy level and supreme confidence really rubs off on us and motivates us to continue improving. In my opinion, they've got it down to a science, knowing when to push us and when to lay off a little bit, and how much we need to weigh and when we need
to weigh it, for optimal performance. It's a true testament to their committment to winning and their faith in us, which is much appreciated and valued. Not to mention, off the mat, I don't think you could find a more down-to-earth, personable, as well as hilarious coaching staff.
In addition to the coaches, I've found that my workout partners have played a huge role in helping me adjust and have helped tremendously. Just training with the guys around my weight, like NCAA Qualifiers David Pienaar and Cory Mancuso, MHSAA state champs Chris Jenkins, Corey Phillips, and Josh Moulton, nationally ranked Sean Clair, and
multiple-time all state wrestlers Rece Cox and Zac Donofrio, I couldn't picture myself in a better situation to learn and to turn the proverbial corner in my wrestling career.
Academically, it's been sort of an eye opener for me here in college. Coming out of high school, where I earned a 3.7 GPA with minimal effort, I figured I could do the same in college. Wrong! Study habits are imperative and I wish I would have picked them up earlier in my academic career. I've been trying to play some catch up over the semester to make up for some sub-par test scores early on, but just like wrestling, with hard work any goal is acheivable, and I'm on the right track now.
Lastly, I'd like to shoot one bit of advice that has helped me throughout my career to the younger wrestlers (The future of Michigan Wrestling!). This was instilled in me by my father, who is by no means a wrestling aficionado (Sorry Dad). He told me at a young age, "Learn from the guys who have been there and get better every day." It took me up until this year to finally realize the truth behind it. I thought I had all the answers and didn't need any help. Was I ever wrong. What I now realize is that if you can pick up just one thing from each practice and get better at that every day, then you are on the right track. For how much I thought my dad didn't know, that bit of advice is as useful as any bit of technique I've learned. So don't be stubborn, there are guys out there who have been there and can help you, and want to help you- seek them out and get
better.
For all the Eagle fans out there, we wrestle #5 ranked Northwestern on Sunday, December 16 at home in Bowen Fieldhouse at 3:00. Come check us out!
This is JJ's 2nd entry to our blog series, he is a former MI state champ from Rockford HS. MI Grappler would like to thank JJ for his contributions to our Welcome to College special and wish him the best of luck in his wrestling and academic career!
Phil Khozein Blog #2
Entry Date: October 29th, 2007
It has been a couple months now that I have been a Spartan. The blood in my veins
runs green and white. As a freshman, your first impression of the campus is that it is
like a city within a city, however, with time, the campus seems to get lose its sprawling
endlessness. Or, perhaps it is just myself getting more used to where I am going and
where my classes are located.
During my first two months on campus, I have adjusted to campus life fairly easily and
without too much personal adjustment. Dorm life is exactly that....dorm life. It is living
in the confines of a 10x12 room with one other person. Luckily, my roommate,
Anthony Jones and I, have gotten along from the get go. My suite mates, Ian(Hinton) and Collin (Dozier), keep our floor lively. As well as Eric (Olanowski), Curran (Jacobs) and Tyler (Dickensen) a floor above never make our dorm dull. I am not sure why some of the folks that work at Wilson Hall say, "Oh....you're wrestlers!".... We must follow in some great footsteps!!!
This blog was written by Phil Khozein, a freshman at Michigan State. This is Khozein's second blog entry, he was a 2x MI state champ while at Hesperia High School.
David Johnson Blog
Entry Date: September 24th, 2007
Life at the University of Michigan is better than I expected. Since I have been
here the training has been hard from the get go. The room is full of great
partners and I love having plenty of people to train with whenever I want.
Everyone here is here to win and getting motivated to train at the highest
level is easier here than it was in high school. The lifting routine is very
rigorous and I have been getting a lot stronger. We have had some pretty
intense sessions so far, the other day we ran the stairs in the Big House
and I had to run up every stair in every aisle. My teammates are awesome,
everyone gets along great and I feel like I was accepted into the U of M
wrestling family as soon as I arrived. I have been training a couple times a
day and have been getting a few extra workouts in when I can. Justin Zeerip
and Erich Smith have been great training partners because they both love to
do extra stuff. The coaching staff is also great and I know they will make me
the best wrestler I can be. Overall, wrestling here for the next five years will be awesome.
The classes are tough, but I am doing a lot of studying and am doing great so far. Athletes are required to spend a minimum amount of hours at the academic center, so I am forced to take time to study and do homework.
The dorms get old fast. The freshmen hang out in Justin Zeerip’s and Erich Smith’s room because they are on the first floor. We try to have fun by goofing around between classes and practice. We went on a team canoe trip down the Huron River a few weeks ago, besides being sun burnt from the football game the day before the canoe trip was a blast.
I can’t imagine being at any other school and succeeding like I am here. The team, the coaches, the campus and Ann Arbor are all great and I love the environment here.
This was written by University of Michigan freshman David Johnson. Johnson, a Jenison native, was a Division 1 state champ, NHSCA Sr National All-American, and Junior National All-American while in high school. David is a Michigan Grappler veteran as he also particapted in the first ever MI Grappler One on One interview last spring. We would like to thank David for taking part in this feature as well and wish him luck in continuing success in his wrestling career!
Owen Wilkinson Blog
Entry Date: September 20th, 2007
Wow, where do I begin. I guess the wrestling is a good place to start. It's way more intense and the atmosphere is way different. Now I am in a room where everyone is completely devoted to success not just half the room. It makes training much better. Even all the running and lifting has a different atmosphere, it's just a positive feeling all around, which is nice to have in the wrestling room. I really like the coaches, (assistant coach Mike) Rogers is so intense and he is so focused on technique it has made me better already. But other than that the class and social aspects of college are great. You have to stay completely focused on your goal in school just like you would in wrestling room, or else your grades will slip, and fast. One of the positives about college is meeting all the new people, and for me it is different than most of the other wrestlers around. If you didn't know I am attending Lock Haven University in Pennsylvania, and even though I have Dan Craig from Allegan as a roommate its great to meet people from all over PA and Jersey. They all bring different styles, personalities, and attitudes to the table and it is a great way for me to learn new things. Overall the college life here is amazing, the wrestling here is even better, and I know it will get even better. I can't wait to see what the rest of my experience holds, because I know it will be a great adventure.
This was written by Owen Wilkinson, a 2007 graduate of Hartland High School. Wilkinson is a freshman 133lber at Lock Haven University in Pennsylvania. He was a 3x Division 1 state placer, 2x state finalist, and 2007 State Champion. We would like to thank Owen for taking part in the Welcome to College series and wish him good luck at Lock Haven.
J.J. Johnson Blog:
Entry Date: September 19th, 2007
In a word, intense. That's the best description I have for my college wrestling experience thus far. The running, lifting, and wrestling have been more intense and physically demanding than most things I have had to endure in my career. Oh yeah, did I mention it's only preseason? But seriously, I am really liking my situation at EMU. Coming into a school with 16 other freshman has made the transition a lot easier. We all hang out pretty much and everyone gets along real well. My workout partner is none other than Corey Phillips- yes, that Corey Phillips. We get along great and really push each other in the room. There's no bitterness between us (Although the "Do you two know each other?" jokes are getting old!!) and I look forward to working out with him and striving for the best in the next couple of years. I really admire the coaching staff here at EMU. I've already picked up some technique and they've tweaked some details in my style and I can see improvements, so I am anxious to see progress in the months and years to come. In the classroom, it is much different from high school in that, for me anyways, the courses are more lecture-based and there isn't a lot of busy work to boost your grade. You've got to be on top of your studying and notes at all times so you don't fall behind. But overall, I am very pleased with my first couple of weeks here at EMU and I can't wait to see what the future will hold.
This was written by J.J Johnson, a freshman at Eastern Michigan University. J.J. is a native of Rockford, Michigan where he was a 3x state finalist and 2005 State Champ, as well as a member of the 2007 Division 1 State Championship team. J.J. is a part of one of the largest recruiting classes in the country, as EMU has 17 incoming freshman this year. We would like to thank J.J. for being a part of this series and wish him luck this year at EMU.
Phil Khozein Blog:
Entry Date: September 18th, 2007
College life has been great for me. The campus here at MSU is wonderful. I really enjoy the culture and all the different people that you meet from all over the country. Wrestling in college is totally different than wrestling in high school. The wrestling, running, and lifting is much more intense. It is a real benefit having all the great workout partners in the wrestling room as well. The coaching staff here is great also. My dorm here at MSU is really nice. My roommate is Anthony Jones, he's a cool guy. Its great to have your own place where you can just get away from everything for some peace and quiet. Classes at MSU are great, some days I'll have three classes and on others I will only have one. It gives you alot of free time during the days do do other things. So far everything at MSU has been what I expected and even more! I love it.
This was written by Phil Khozein. Phil is a freshman 149lber at Michigan State University. He is a graduate of Hesperia high school. Phil was a 2x Division 4 State Champ, claiming the crown at 125lbs in 2005 and 140lb in 2007. Michigan Grappler would like to thank Phil for taking part in our Welcome to College feature and wish him luck in his college career.
Anthony Jones Blog:
Entry Date: September 9th, 2007
There is a big difference from high school to college with a lot of freedom but also lots of responsibility. The college life I would say so far is great with all the opportunities to meet new people and do new things. The high intensitiy in the wrestling room, the running and all the challeges to overcome are a task, but I can and will over come it. Living in the dorms is like having a new house of your own; your own pad at the age of 18 is like heaven. To be able to come and go as you please without a hassle is great. The cafe is great, it is lovely to eat what you want when you want by just swiping a card with your pic, it puts on alot of weight though. The College Life: there is nothing like and I wouldn't change it for the world!
This was written by Anthony Jones. Anthony is a freshman 149lber at Michigan State University. He is a graduate of Highland Park high school, where he was a 2007 Division 3 State Champion at 145lbs. Michigan Grappler would like to thank Anthony for participating in this feature and wish him luck in his college career!
Note: The views and opinions expressed in this feature do not neccesarily represent those of Michigan Grappler.com
Copyright 2007 Michigan Grappler LLC
