Ringgold’s Conroy to wrestle at Cornell
The recruitment process can take its time and toll on any athlete, regardless of the sport.
The decisions that need to be made have the recruit spinning in so many different directions that the student-athlete normally expresses a sense of relief when they select the college or university they want to attend.
For Ringgold junior wrestler Jake Conroy, his selection to further his academic and wrestling careers was an easy one that didn’t take much time.
“I told myself to take my time, but I couldn’t find one negative thing about Cornell,” said Conroy. “Everything was so great from the campus to the wrestlers and coaches I met, and even some of the students that weren’t involved in the wrestling program that I met were really nice. I figured why wait when I could make my selection now.”
Conroy, who started wrestling when he was 5, had an unofficial visit to Clarion and was in contact with some other schools, but believes he made the right choice to select a school that is not only known for its academics but its wrestling program.
“Just the fact that Cornell is an Ivy League school was huge, plus the wrestling program is top notch,” Conroy said.
The Big Red placed third in the NCAA Division I Championships last season with Vito Arujau and Yianni Diakomihalis winning national titles. It was the first for Arujau and fourth for Diakomihalis.
Arujau won a world championship in freestyle on Sept. 17 at 61 kilograms.
Conroy competed for Pennsylvania Blue at the cadet (16-and-under) national team duals this past June and met Cornell associate head coach Donnie Vinson, who coached his team.
“He was the coach, and it was great getting to know him,” Conroy said. “I look forward to working with him at Cornell, but all of the coaches there are great.”
Conroy, a junior, still has some time to decide what he will study at Cornell, but is leaning towards psychology and would like to work with the FBI.
Conroy was 42-6 last year and advanced to the state tournament in Class 3A, where he went 2-2 and was one victory away from placing. He has a career record of 74-12.
“I always had a goal of wrestling in college, but when I was little, I kind of sucked,” Conroy said. “When I was about 10, I started going to wrestling clubs to improve, and I currently wrestle at Phoenix Wrestling Club.
“I used to play football when I was younger, but I decided to focus on wrestling and I believe I have made the right choice. I am looking forward to my last two years wrestling in high school, and I am hoping to have a solid performance at states.”
Conroy plans to compete at 215 pounds.
“Our program may not have the history of teams likes Waynesburg and Canon-McMillan, but we have a great couple of younger kids coming up,” Conroy said. “I believe many Ringgold wrestlers will follow me in wrestling in college. People need to keep an eye on Ringgold wrestling.”