Central Michigan University Athletics
Mester Looking For Strong Finish To Freshman Campaign
2/27/2001 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Feb. 27, 2001
For most college freshmen athletes a successful year would just breaking into the starting lineup. But, Central Michigan's Ryan Mester won't settle for anything less then a Mid-American Conference championship and a top eight finish in the NCAA finals.
Mester is having an amazing first season in which he has accumulated an outstanding record and a national ranking. He has continually shown experience and maturity that is rarely found in a freshman. But, according to Ryan, these accomplishments means little to him because he expected them and he won't be satisfied until he reaches his highest goals.
"I have been wrestling well so far this season," said the Mineral Point, Wisconsin native. "But, I will not see the season as being a success until a reach my goal of being top eight in the nation. My ultimate goal is to become national champion but I see being top eight was an attainable goal for my freshman year."
As for the reasons for his success, Ryan points to a couple of things that have helped him reach such a high level so soon in his career. One, the excellent coaching staff and how much they have worked with him to help improve his skills. Second, how beneficial his redshirt year was so he could gain experience with wrestling at the college level.
"The coaching staff will do anything to help us become better wrestlers and they are a main reason why this program has been so successful," said the 141-pounder. "My redshirt year was beneficial for me to get some experience at the collegiate level and understand the difference between high school and college wrestling. That redshirt year also gave me a taste of college life and how to balance school and practice so that I could be successful."
For Jason, one of his main motivations for wrestling hard every time he hits the mat is knowing that he is representing the former wrestlers that are such heroes to him.
"I really look up to those guys like Casey and Ryan Cunningham, Chris Vike and Mike Greenfield," said Ryan. "They are the ones that really got this program going and built the base for the program. They are a main reason that we've been so successful over the past few years because their success help bring in the recruits that has allowed us to remain on top."
As for how Jason ended up at Central, he possesses a unique characteristic which drew coach Borrelli to recruit him to come to CMU. Jason shoots with his left, which is opposite of what most wrestlers.
"Not a lot of big time colleges were recruiting me and coach Borrelli saw me at nationals and recruited me to CMU," said Jason. "He noticed that I was left-handed and I shot with my left arm, so he thought that I could become successful. It gives me a unique edge over my opponent because they are not used to having their opponent shoot at their left leg."
By: Rob Wyman, Sports Information Assistant
