“I haven’t fulfilled my dreams in wrestling yet. I didn’t reach my goals in college, but I will take an Olympic title or a World title over an NCAA title.” - Joe Colon
NO ORDINARY JOE
By Craig Sesker Joe Colon envisioned a much different
ending to his collegiate wrestling career. A much happier ending. He would step onto the elevated mat
for the finals, win the biggest match of his life, have his hand raised and walk off the mat as the 2014 NCAA champion at 133 pounds. But it didn’t happen. Colon was ranked No. 1 during a
superb senior season at Northern Iowa, but that momentum came to a screeching halt in a 6-4 semifinal loss to Wisconsin’s Tyler Graff this past March in Oklahoma City. “I was bummed out,” said Colon, who
came back to place third. “I didn’t get what I wanted. I took a little time off, a couple days, and then got back in the room training freestyle. “I wanted to try wrestling internationally,
and I wanted to keep pushing myself. I’m working toward that dream to win the Olympics.” Even though he was never an NCAA
finalist, Colon has made a strong state- ment early this season that he is serious about his Olympic goal. Colon, 23, emerged from a loaded
bracket to win the Bill Farrell International freestyle title at 57 kg/125.5 lbs. on Nov. 9 in Long Island, N.Y. Colon’s aggressive style served him
well as he won a weight class that includ- ed 2012 Olympian Sam Hazewinkel and 2013 World fifth-place finisher Angel Escobedo. “I just came out and pushed my style,”
Colon said. “I tried to get to my under- hooks, keep my pace high and just try to bully dudes. I want to score as many
6 USA Wrestler
Above: Joe Colon went 4-0 to win the Bill Farrell International. Jonny Rugan photo. At right: Colon shaved off his moustache for the final day of the 2014 NCAA tournament and came back to place third. Tony Rotundo photo.
points as I can early and maintain it.” Colon’s title run in New York started
with a 12-2 technical fall over Eric Morrill. He followed with a 14-8 quarterfinal win over two-time NCAA runner-up Nico Megaludis. Colon downed past All-American Brandon Precin 7-4 in the semifinals before rolling past veteran Dan Mitcheff 13-6 in the finals. “Joe looked good, but he still has a lot
to build on,” UNI coach Doug Schwab said. “He can score points in bunches. He’s really dynamic, and can score feet
to back. And he has a good gut wrench.” Colon is one of the most powerful and physical wrestlers in his weight class. He is lethal when he attacks his opponent’s upper body with underhooks. “That’s how he’s wrestled since he was
a little kid,” Schwab said. “It’s a great position for him and he’s very strong in there. We have to get him in there a little bit more. I like how he attacks the body when he gets there.” Colon knows plenty about overcoming adversity.
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