Embracing the Two-Year Gap – University of Nebraska

Another Door Opens

It’s crazy how doors randomly open sometimes.

My roommate, Brock Hardy, was one of my teammates back home in Utah on the national team. The Huskers actually came out to watch him compete at a tournament, and when they asked if he knew anyone else worth recruiting in Utah, he mentioned my name.

That’s my guy.

They stuck around to watch me compete and ended up inviting me out on a recruiting trip. It wasn’t long after that I committed and became a Husker.

I wasn’t sure if this opportunity was ever going to come to me. I knew what I wanted to do with my life, and I was willing to leave it all in the rearview for good. Yet, there I was being offered an opportunity to join one of the best schools in the country and compete at the highest level—it was a dream come true, you know?

It was also humbling because I knew the butt-kicking waiting for me in that practice room for the first year. I’ve taken enough bumps and bruises for multiple lifetimes, but I was willing to take many more for a spot on the team.

It’s the least I could do to return the favor for Nebraska taking a chance on me. 

They know that for at least two years, I wouldn’t be able to wrestle. Or even work out, for that matter. I was literally stepping away from the sport to complete my mission in Chicago.

Wrestling was an afterthought out there. From sun-up until sun-down, all we did was talk about the gospel to people. There was no wrestling, no partying, no family visits—the rules were pretty strict.

And you know what? I wouldn’t change a thing.