WHO’S NEXT? USAW STAR OF THE FUTURE Medbery makes mark
Two-sport standout from Colorado chooses wrestling over football
By Craig Sesker Connor Medbery looked like a can’t-
miss, blue-chip prospect in football. The 6-foot-2, 245-pound senior from Loveland High School earned all-state honors after rushing for nearly 2,000 yards as a fullback. But the big-time Division I offers still
didn’t roll in for Medbery. So the two-time Colorado state wrestling champion is pursuing another sport in college. He signed to wrestle with Wisconsin after also taking official visits Virginia Tech, Missouri and Penn State. “It was definitely a tough decision,” Medbery said. “It took a lot of time and thought and prayers. I had more opportu- nities in wrestling than I did in football. I’ve been wrestling since I was five years old and I’ve put more time into wrestling. I love the atmosphere of wrestling.” Medbery is ranked No. 6 nationally at heavyweight after wrestling 215 as a jun- ior. He had won over 100 straight match- es heading into the holidays. He is a past Cadet Nationals champi-
on. He was an All-American in Junior Nationals in Greco-Roman and freestyle this past summer in Fargo, N.D. “All the experience I have from wrestling around the country in national events, it helps a ton when you wrestle the best guys in the country,” Medbery said. “It’s great competition. It helped get my name out there and helped me gain recognition.” Medbery said Wisconsin felt like “a
great fit for me.” “I felt like academically they had what I
was looking for. That was a big factor,” he said. “And I like the direction they are going with the wrestling program. They have a great coaching staff, and they want to make sure their wrestlers do everything right on and off the mat. They want guys with great character and the team is a tight-knit group.”
20 USA Wrestler
Loveland High School senior Conor Medbery won Cadet Nationals in 2008, and was a Junior All-American in Greco-Roman and freestyle in 2010. The two-time Colorado state champion signed early with Wisconsin. Grant W. Schultz photo.
Medbery, who carries a 3.3 grade-point average, will join past high school team- mate Tyler Graff at Wisconsin. Graff was an All-American as a fresh-
man at 133 for the Badgers in 2010. He also is a top prospect in freestyle. “It’s a bonus, knowing one of my
friends is out there and is doing well,” Medbery said. “He’s a perfect example of what hard work and dedication can accomplish.” Medbery said he will continue to com-
pete in USA Wrestling events. “I really enjoy wrestling freestyle and Greco,” he said. “I can control the pace of the match more in freestyle. “They have a real good freestyle club
at Wisconsin. It’s something I plan to pur- sue after college.” For now, he’s taking aim at state title
No. 3. “I’m working hard and trying to improve,” he said. “I want to finish strong and leave high school on a high note.”
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