Troy Nickerson of Cornell

Q&A With Cornell Freshman Troy Nickerson

11/11/2005 11:25:00 AM

There aren’t many high school wrestlers who have accomplished what Cornell Freshman Troy Nickerson (Chenango Forks, N.Y./Chenango Forks HS) did. Nickerson was the first five-time state champion in New York history, and the recipient of the 2005 Junior Dan Hodge Trophy, given annually to the nation's best high school wrestler by the Amateur Athletic Union and W.I.N. Magazine, and the Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award, presented by the National Wrestling Hall of Fame to a high school senior with outstanding wrestling success, scholastic achievement and citizenship or community service.

He ended his high school career with an overall record of 217-6 and won both the freestyle and Greco-Roman championships at the 2004 Junior Nationals (he didn’t compete at the 2005 event), earning outstanding wrestler honors in both tournaments after not allowing a single point throughout his championship runs. Nickerson also won two Cadet National titles in Greco-Roman and was a 2003 Cadet National freestyle champion.

But that’s all in the past, and Nickerson is anxiously waiting his first collegiate match. The Wrestling Mall caught up with the Big Red 125-pounder, and discussed life as a freshman, what it’s like wrestling Travis Lee, how he thinks head coach Rob Koll could still win if he was competing today, competing in the CKLV Invite, and much more.

By Matt Krumrie – Senior Editor
Please send comments, questions or replies to: info@thewrestlingmall.com

TWM: What has been the biggest adjustment to the world of college wrestling up to this point?

TN: The biggest adjustment for me so far has been trying to compete with the strength of most collegiate wrestlers. That was my biggest problem early on. Since, I have been able to get a lot stronger and things are getting a lot better for me!

TWM: What do you like best about college life?

TN: College is fun. I like the independence. I love Cornell University and the mix of academics and wrestling.

TWM: What do you find to be the most challenging?

TN: Coming onto campus, time management was the most challenging part of it all. Now, after being here for a few months, I have most things under control.

TWM: Back to wrestling - what has been your "welcome to the world of college wrestling moment" to this point? What has happened that really made you realize you are now competing at a big-time Division I school?

TN: My biggest "welcoming to college wrestling" has to do with the name Travis Lee. After going with him for a few months now, I really know what it takes to be a national champion.

TWM: There is a report that after you won your last tournament match as a high schooler that Rob Koll, instead of congratulating you for all of your accolades, said "good, you're done wrestling high school kids now." Is that true?

TN: Coach Koll did say that and I completely agree with him. I took his comments very seriously and was very excited to get into collegiate wrestling. This is just a totally different level of competition and I love the challenge.

TWM: Every freshman wrestler sets goals. What goals have you set for yourself this year?

TN: My goals this year are not shallow by any means. I feel I am ready to win a national title this year and expect nothing less of myself.

TWM: You and the rest of the Big Red will be competing in Las Vegas Dec. 2-3 at the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Collegiate Wrestling Invite. What are you looking forward to most about that tournament - and have you ever been to Las Vegas before?

TN: I have heard many good things about the tournament and am looking forward to the challenge. I have been to Las Vegas before and I am glad that a tournament of its prestige can be held there.

TWM: There are many standout 125 pounders in the country. Among them, Kyle Ott of Illinois, who will also be in Vegas. Do you have visions of facing Ott in the finals, or any other top 125 pounders for that matter?

Troy Nickerson

TN: I know Kyle Ott will be there and yes I plan on meeting him there. He is a great wrestler like many other competitors of mine that I will face this season. I am taking them all one match at a time right now.

TWM: Both coach Koll and assistant coach Steve Garland can still go at it pretty good in the room. In addition, Travis Lee works out with you. What is that like having those three to learn from?

TN: Coach Koll is amazing. He is very underrated on the mats today. I think he could probably still be competing if he wanted to. Coach Garland is an amazing workout partner and coach for me. I have learned a lot from him. Travis is still in the room and I wrestle with him frequently. He is a very tough competitor and has proven to people that he is the real deal. I am improving with him a lot and gaining on him quickly.

TWM: Do you foresee yourself as a career 125 pounder? Is this weight easy for you to make?

TN: I am taking my weight one year at a time now. I will be competing at 125 pounds this year and that is all that I know.

TWM: Adam Frey, who came in as a top recruit with you and was expected to be another key component in your lineup, is out with an injury. How do you think Adam is handling that, and what type of support can you offer? (Related Article From TWM: Cornell’s Adam Frey May Miss Entire 2005-06 Season With Shoulder Injury)

TN: Adam and I are great workout partners for each other. It is unfortunate that he is hurt this year. He is very tough. He is handling everything pretty well so far and I cannot wait until he is healthy enough to get going again.

TWM: Take us inside the Cornell wrestling room. Who are the leaders of the team, and who keeps things loose?

TN: Our room is a great environment to be in. Coach Koll is always a jokester and keeps us in high spirits; usually by telling us a joke before practice. Once things get going, our room is very intense. I like to think that everyone in the room feeds off from one another but our senior captains Joe Mazzurco, Dustin Manotti, and Mike Mormile are great examples of the work ethic every wrestler wants to have.

TWM: It looks like Dustin Schlatter of Minnesota will not redshirt this year, while Brent Metcalf of Virginia Tech is still undecided. You were all among the top recruits in the nation last year. Are you a fan of the sport in the aspect that you follow your peers and monitor their progress?

TN: I am glad to see that both of them are stepping up to the challenge even though they do have the option of redshirting. I am friends with both of them and we all get along pretty well together. I am looking forward to watching the success of our class this year on the mat.

TWM: In high school, you were involved in a program where you did some work at a local hospital, which would help you in your pursuit to become a doctor. Do you still participate in that program, and what are your academic and career goals at this point?

TN: I am not involved in the program anymore but it helped me a lot in deciding what I wanted to do in life. My career goals have not changed, I still am looking forward to going to medical school after wrestling.

TWM: How have you found a balance between collegiate-level academics and athletics?

TN: Finding a balance between an Ivy League education and being part of a high profile Division I wrestling team was hard to do at first. Once I was able to get my priorities straight, things have gotten much easier. I am doing fine managing both so far.

TWM: In a few months you will be in the middle of your freshman season. After an amazing high school career, the time to compete as a collegian has finally come. In a few months, what will people be saying about Troy Nickerson on the mat?

TN: Hopefully people are saying all good things about me in a few months. I have been training hard and am looking towards making a big impact this year. I want to make people know who I am not for the high school wrestler I was but for the collegiate wrestler I am.