Wohlfert Stays Close to Home, Picks MSU
By Steve WidzinskiMI Grappler High School AnalystSteve@michigangrappler.com10/11 - Over the past four years the state of Michigan has seen St. Johns emerge as an elite program on the national level. With many of their top wrestlers now upperclassmen, the time has come for a number of highly anticipated college commitments. Following the commitment of Taylor Massa last week, Jordan Wohlfert kept the ball rolling earlier this week when he announced his decision to wrestle at Michigan State University.
Prior to his decision to commit to MSU, Wohlfert considered other schools including Central Michigan and Old Dominion. But in the end familiarity played a key factor in Wohlfert's choice to be a Spartan, with St. Johns located just twenty miles away from East Lansing.
"It's a family atmosphere for me," Wohlfert explained "It was really important for me to surround myself with good people like Chris Williams and Roger Chandler who I know will have my back and support me." In addition to being very comfortable with the coaches, having some familiar faces in the room also made Wohlfert's decision an easy one.
"There are a lot of great workout partners in their room" said Wohlfert "I know that guys like Dan Osterman and DavidCheza are going to push me to my limits day in and day out to make me the best wrestler I can be".
With such a positive mix of coaches and teammates, Michigan State
appears to be a perfect fit for Wohlfert, who plans to wrestle 165 or 174
in his college career. Now with his future plans determined, Wohlfert will
look to turn his attention to finishing his high school career on a strong
note and adding to his already impressive résumé which includes a
division 2 state title, cadet freestyle championship and runner-up finish
at Flonationals.
"It was a big stress reliever" said Wohlfert, "With that out of the way, I can
focus on doing what I need to do achieve my goals for the high school
season". Despite already having earned a spot at Division 1 College,
Wohlfert's goals are still plentiful and significant.
"I want to win Super 32, go undefeated, win another state championship
and beat St. Eds" Wohlfert explained. Wohlfert's ambitious goals reflect
the attitude of the entire St. Johns wrestling team, which will be pursuing
its third consecutive Division 2 state championship this winter.
"When we get in the room our entire mentality changes," Wohlfert said. "We're not friends anymore, it's do or die. Winning is everything." It is this attitude that has made St. Johns one of the nation's fastest rising programs. Their impressive lineup boasts eight returning state placers from last year, and will be bolstered this fall by the return of Ben Whitford who is coming off of two Illinois state championships. It is this abundance of talent in the wrestling room to which Wohlfert attributes his success.
"I think we have a lot of guys who can wrestle in Division 1" he said. "We wouldn't be where we are without each other. Guys like Taylor Massa, Travis Curley and Payne Hayden have all made me a much better wrestler." Having trained in such a competitive room should be a big factor in Wohlfert's transition to college wrestling when he begins his career in East Lansing next fall.
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