Dirk, thanks for the interview and your time.
no problem! its my pleasure
12:08pmRon
Does it feel any different going for your third title? Is there more pressure being at the top entering post season?
I think every season has got harder and harder for the expectations, but I think that if I just go out and do what I can do then I should be on top. I just like to have fun out there
12:11pmRon
What are your greatest challenges in your eyes to accomplish your wrestling goals?
well as of right now it would be my third straight state title, but I want to be on the Dapper Dan team this year and eventually be an NCAA champ!
12:13pmRon
That would be great to see you compete on the Dapper Dan Team and even more exciting see you accomplish NCAA champion status
ya those are my goals for this year and later down the road for when I wrestle for Penn State
12:14pmRon
How does it feel knowing you are going to be coached by Cael Sanderson-(best wrestler ever)?
Cael is not only a great coach but he is a great guy! its pretty sweet knowing that your gonna go to practice everyday and learn from the best guy that possibly ever wrestled. I Like his style and his assistant coach Casey I think that environment is the best for me!
12:17pmRon
And your future teammates are some of the elite high school wrestlers from last year and this year, how do you think their presence will translate onto the mat?
I have known the Altons for a while now and I have been down there wrestling with David Taylor and Ed Ruth and all the red shirts, I think that we will do great! we will have each other everyday to push each other and get better!
12:20pmRon
A national title almost seems certain with the talent that will be heading to Penn State, a elusive milestone since the 50's. How does the thinking around those Penn State recruits feel about this very possible feat?
I think that we know what we can do and we just have to do it! like I said we are going to have one of the best practice rooms in the country and some of the best coaches in the country! We have had a very good recruiting class the best 2 years and I think we are ready to bring a national title back to PA.
12:24pmRon
Coming from a small school, the talent of competition may be scare for a wrestler such as yourself, how do you keep your high level of performance up? Special workout partners? Special dedications and committments?
Well I have been very fortunate to have Aaron Wright a former PSU wrestler that comes in everyday since I have been a freshman and has pushed me till now! I have been pretty dedicated all year around doing freestyle and greco so I think that has helped me a lot also!
12:26pmRon
Have you given much thought what you would like to do after collegiate wrestling? Career and/or Coaching?
I would like to give back to the sport for sure. But i have not decided what i want to do. I am going to major in either business or environmental sciences so we will see where that takes me!
12:30pmRon
How does the competition look for you at states this year? Any rematches we may see?
states will be just like any year I have to go into it with the right mind set and stay focused! the big match up will be Eric Hess from Benton, it will be returning state champ vs returning state champ! it will be exciting I cant wait!!
12:32pmRon
What advice would you give the next generation of wrestlers for being successful?
Go into practice everyday with the mentality that you want to get better! And surround yourself with the best people you can!
12:34pmRon
I always love to ask this question..what rules would you like to see changed that may improve the sport?
haha thats always a good one! I would like to see the out of bounds rule changed. i think that if u get pushed out just like in freestyle then you give up a point! i think that rule would change a lot of people's styles!
12:37pmRon
I love that, as matter of fact, there are those advocates who would like to see a more freestyle approach in high school and college, that we would improvement later in international wrestling..what are your thoughts on that since you compete in both Freestyle and Greco?
I like greco better than freestyle for sure! but i do like i said, I like the push out rule and i would love to see that get changed not only in high school but in college too! I don't know if i would want anymore freestyle than that in folkstyle!
12:40pmRon
I would like to wish you luck this post season and with your future at Penn State, and thank you again for this interview and I have had much enjoyment watching your success since personally you were 8 years old.
Is there anyone you would like to take the time and thank at this time Dirk?
Thanks ron, It was a pleasure! you do a great job with your website and all over the years. I would just like to thank my family for everything they had to put up with over the years and Aaron for being there since I have been a freshman and pushing me
and God he was a big help with both my knee surgeries and helping me get threw what I did!
12:45pmRon
Take care Dirk See you on top of podium again friend!
12:45pmDirk take care Ron!
