Each month during the 2014-2015 wrestling season, we'll be selecting an athlete who attended a J Robinson Intensive Camp who has excelled on the mat, in the classroom, and in the community. These athletes represent everything that JROB camps stand for—Discipline, Dedication, Sacrifice, Hard Work, Responsibility, Accountability, and Service—and prove that the only way to succeed in wrestling is to truly commit to self-improvement every day, on the mat, in the classroom, and in life.
March 2015
Aaron Tisinger
Senior
Anacortes High School
Anacortes, Washington
182 Pounds
2014 Oregon Intensive Camper, 2013 Washington Technique Camper
Our March Athlete of the Month is someone who truly proved what you can accomplish when you work harder than anyone else. Aaron Tisinger qualified for state as a sophomore and lost his first two matches by pin. The next year, he came back to state and took home 4th place. This year, his third state tournament, he won a heart-pounding match 10-9 to take home the Washington 182 pound State Championship. Congratulations to Aaron on his great accomplishment and for all the hard work he put in to get where he is. Read our Q&A below to learn more about Aaron, his wrestling career, state tournament win, and goals for the future.
Q: How long have you been wrestling, and why did you get into the sport?
A: I’ve been wrestling for about six years now. I started wrestling in 7th grade, and has loved the sport ever since. I started wrestling because the high school coach was an active member in our community and knew my mom very well, and thus started my induction into the wrestling world.
Q: What is your favorite wrestling memory or moment in your career?
A: My favorite memory is one that is the most recent. Winning the state championship. Before that moment however, it was the most terrifying moment in my career. I had never been happier than I was when I won that match. At the moment it was hard to be very happy however, because of my utter exhaustion in edging that match 10-9, but I managed to still get some celebratory gestures in there.
Q: What do you enjoy the most about wrestling?
A: In wrestling, unlike other sports, it’s all about you. You get out there by yourself and you yourself wrestle the match. Everything you do relies on you, and if you didn’t prepare for it, you’re the one that pays for it. That’s what I love about wrestling. Also playing toe touch is pretty fun.
Q: Talk about last year’s state tournament. What did you learn from the experience of placing 4th? Did it motivate you to train even harder last summer or approach wrestling any differently?
A: Last year I was in a pretty hard bracket, one of the hardest in the whole tournament. I came into that tournament from last year, going two and out and getting pinned in the first round in both matches. I was pretty wide eyed because I didn’t know what to expect. After I got done with the first match which I had almost lost, but ended up pulling out the win, I felt more confident. I ended up losing the next match and going into the conciliation bracket. I had wrestled through and made it to the second day (the placing day). I ended up wrestling two people who had beaten me earlier in the season, and I beat them both and went on to the 3rd and 4th place match where I ended up losing. It really got me motivated to go get first because I knew what I could now do. With training in the offseason, attending Fargo, Jrob, and a few other camps, along with practicing at my club Vandit Wrestling Academy all year, I had furthered my wrestling ability far passed what I had ever thought was possible.
Q: What was the best part about winning the state tournament?
A: One of the best things was seeing my coaches afterwards. In my corner I had my club, high school, and high school assistant coach. After winning the match 9-10, keeping my coaches on their toes till the last second, they were ecstatic. It was great for my coach club coach Andy Cook because he had taken me in as a kid who couldn’t even stay in a stance without falling, and molded me and helped pay for all of my training to get to where I was. Seeing them made the victory even sweeter.
Q: What is one wrestling skill that you wanted to improve, and how did you try to address it?
A: I was too scared to take shots for the longest time. I wouldn’t take shots unless they were 100% open. Since I wasn’t one for risky shots, I talked to my coach Andy about it and I started working swing singles and low singles. I worked them every day when I went into Vandit and eventually I was able to hit it in matches, and next thing I knew, I was getting countless take downs in the state tournament with low singles.
Q: What’s your favorite subject in school, and how important is it to you to maintain good grades?
A: My favorite subject in school right now is probably social studies. Right now the class I’m taking as my social studies class however (AP Government) I am not enjoying. But other than that, I enjoy history, and world religions. I think maintaining good grades is the most important thing you can do as a student athlete. You could be the world’s best wrestler, but with bad grades, you’re not going anywhere. School is what I think is most important, wrestling and other things come second.
Q: Tell us about any work you’re doing in the community or after school.
A: Part of the reason why I got into wrestling is because of my high schools old coach. He ran an organization called Wrestlers for Life which was a group of people (mostly wrestlers) who would do community service and donate any money made to cancer research. With that group we had helped out our community more than any other organization in our town.
I will be finishing my Eagle Scout project to get my eagle scout along this month as well.
I also help coach my towns middle school wrestling team, which is in tremendous need for coaching.
Q: Why did you decide to attend the two J Robinson Camps that you’ve been to, and how do you think they helped you as a wrestler and as a person?
A: I attended my first Jrob camp, which was the 7 day technique camp in Washington, because I knew that I needed to work on my technique a lot. After coming from Fargo, and had completed the Washington team training camp a week prior, I really wanted to relax and not have to go super hard. I liked the order of it and I really liked all of the mental things I had saw in the book, and decided to go to the 14 day intensive in Oregon.
The Intensive helped the mental aspect of my wrestling game tremendously. I felt I was mentally superior to all of the opponents I stepped out on the mat with. I felt that getting the ability to function while being tired, something I learnt how to do at camp ended up winning it for me in the state finals. 10-9 and we were both beat, and I think that little edge I had on him is what got it for me.
Q: What are your goals for wrestling going forward from your senior year?
A: I hope to go on and wrestle in college, I am hoping to get a D2 scholarship to wrestle over here on the western side of the US. In college I hope to become an All American, and I plan on wrestling with Vandit at home all year to make that happen.
February 2015
Joey Revelli
Junior
Copper Hills High School
West Jordan, Utah
126 Pounds
2014 Minnesota Intensive Camper
Although we usually write a summary of our Athlete of the Month, this time, we thought that it would be better to let Joey's dad do it. His letter to us submitting Joey's name for the February Athlete of the Month told the story better than we ever could, so please read the Q&A and the letter below the Q&A to find out more about Joey Revelli.
Q: How long have you been wrestling, and why did you get into the sport?
A: I started wrestling when I was 4 years old. I took a break during middle school and then started wrestling again my freshman year. I started wrestling because my parents thought it would be good for me due to my abundance of energy.
Q: What is your favorite wrestling memory or moment in your career?
A: My favorite wrestling memory was winning a Region championship match in an ultimate tie breaker with an injury that if I wouldn't have went to JROB; I probably would've sat out.
Q: What do you enjoy the most about wrestling?
A: I enjoy the winning and the adrenaline rush. I also enjoy making friends. I also like the fact that it is all on me. I have no one to blame but myself. My motto for this year is no regrets.
Q: Talk about last year’s state tournament. How did falling just short of placing motivate you to train last summer?
A: Freshman year I went 0 - 2 and every day after that I ran 7 miles a day. I then went to the 14 day JROB camp and the Wyoming Camp. I came back and went 1-2 at state but was an entirely new wrestler after that. I trained even harder and went to the 28 day JROB camp.
Q: What did you do to help your parents pay for last summer’s wrestling camp?
A: I did a lot of yard work both for my parents and for their place of work. My grandparents also hired me to do odd jobs around their cabin that they were redoing.
Q: What is one wrestling skill that you need to work on, and how have you tried to address it?
A: One of the wrestling skills that I need to work on is not hesitating on bottom. I've worked new stuff and have some guys from UVU help me and I have improved a lot.
Q: What’s your favorite subject in school, and how important is it to you to maintain good grades?
A: My favorite subject in school is History. I am not very good at school but JROB showed me that if I am willing to work hard then I will succeed in anything that I set my mind to.
Q: Tell us about any work you’re doing in the community or after school.
A: After school I go wrestle at our local Division 1 College and I am planning on doing a program over the summer for kids overcoming cancer and their families. I hope to be picked as a volunteer. I also participated in Paws for a Cause where our school raised over 22,000.00.
Q:Which JROB camps have you been to, and how do you think going to them has helped you?
A: I went to the 14 day camp in Oregon. My record the season before was 17-21. After the camp I was 37-11 and ranked 6th in the state, but I felt like I fell short of what my goals were so I then went to the 28 day camp. Now going into sectionals I am 39-8. The most that I have lost by is 3. I am more disciplined, work harder and am very dedicated. I try to follow the J7.
Q: What are your goals for this wrestling season?
Q: Take state. Get 110 take downs. All American. Get 10 Tech’s. Win 45 Matches. Win like a champ, lose like a champ.
Letter from father of Joey Revelli
Joey has the biggest heart of anyone I know. He works so hard to be the best that he can. 9th grade Joey had a record of 17 and 23 at 106 pounds. He was the first freshman from his school to make it to state. The first match he had the number one seed and was pinned in 28 seconds, only the 2nd time he had been pinned all year. He came off the mat and said dad that will never happen again. The next match he lost 8-6 and was out of the state tournament. Joey asked if he could go to camps in the summer. I started looking around and found a University of Wyoming camp and the J Rob camps. I called and talked to Ty Eustice about the camps and he told me of a wrestler in Utah that had been to the camps he said to get in touch with him. This wrestler and his parents said it was the best money they have ever spent and it helped him so much. We ended up sending Joey to UW camp for the 10 day intensive. We use to live in Wyoming and he has talked about wanting to go to school in Laramie. This was a great camp he learned a lot. He came home for about 2 weeks then headed for Oregon for the 14 day intensive camp. I had some calls from him that were good and some that were bad. “Dad I think I am going to die" I reassured him that he was not going to die. Joey came back for the 14 day camp and was a different young man. I was so excited to see him wrestle after hearing him talk and reading his journal. He started running on his own, getting up early cleaning his room, helping his mom and I around the house without having to ask him. Joey had great success his sophomore year 38-10 he was one round from placing at state. He was disappointed that he did not place but that did not discourage him it drove him to become better. He ask if he could do the 28 day camp, I reminded him that he told me to tell him he was crazy if he asked to go back to JRob again. “Dad I want to get better and be the best I can be” So my wife and his grandma and grandpas helped pay for him to go to the 28 day camp. Joey earned $1000 working in June he mowed lawns, poured concrete, removed concrete, built fence, and helped my Mom and Dad at the cabin from 7 am to 5 pm every day for 3 weeks. He worked his butt off to earn that money to be able to go. This camp the calls were all positive there were some days that he missed home and his body was hurting. The calls were always excitement of what he learned and how well he was doing. He had a bunch of positives and a couple negatives. I think the 14 day camp he had 2 or 3 positives is all. My wife and I went out to watch him graduate this time and wow we were impressed with what we had witnessed. I would have never believed it until I had seen it with my own eyes. This camp my son left a boy and came back a man. This camp was just not a wrestling camp it was a life changing experience. Joey is so calm cool and collected on and off the mat now. He is so mentally tough and ready to go at all times. He pushes himself his team his coaches and my wife and I to be better people. Joeys ranked 4th in 5a at 126 and his record so far this year is 33-7, 4 of those loses are to the same young man. He has not had more than 6 points scored on him and has not lost by more than 3 this season. He wins with a smile and loses with a smile because he knows he gave everything he has every time No regrets!!!!!! Thank you Jrob and staff for everything you have done for my son.
JANUARY 2015
TRES LEON AND TRENT LEON
Tres Leon (right): Senior, Kaukauna High School, Kaukauna, WI; 2012 Minnesota Intensive Camper
Trent Leon (left): Sophomore, Kaukauna High School, Kaukauna, WI; 2013 Minnesota Intensive Camper
This month, we decided to make our Athlete of the Month honor plural. Wrestling is a sport that truly runs in families, sometimes through many generations, and connects older and younger siblings to the same shared passion. Tres and Trent Leon of Kaukauna High School in Kaukauna, WI, are a perfect example. Both graduates of our Minnesota 28-Day Intensive Camp—Tres in 2012 and Trent in 2013—the brothers are the leaders of the 2014 Wisconsin Class 1A State Champion Kaukauna Galloping Ghosts Wrestling Team.
Tres owns a 21-2 record so far this year with a 1st place finish at 132 at the Minnesota Christmas Tournament and 5th place finish at the Cheesehead Invitational. Significant wins include David Flynn, Aidan Yde, Hunter Marko, Nate Sands, and Jerod Booth.
Trent holds a 22-4 record at 120 with a 3rd place finish at the Minnesota Christmas Tournament and a 2nd place finish at the Cheesehead Invitational. Significant wins include Adam McSorley, Jack Bergeland, Skyler Raymond, Zach Smith, and Zach Villarreal.
We wish this pair of talented brothers the best of luck during the remainder of the wrestling season and in defending their team title from 2014! Read below for our Q&A sessions with Tres and Trent.
Tres Leon
Q: How long have you been wrestling, and why did you get into the sport?
A: 12 years. My parents signed me up to see if I would like it.
Q: How did having a brother help you to become a better wrestler?
A: We have made each other very competitive individuals. No matter what it was we were always competing against each other. Neither one of us liked to lose. I believe that’s why our competitive level is so high.
Q: What is your favorite wrestling memory or moment in your career?
A: Winning team state last year for the first time in Kaukauna history.
Q: What is your favorite wrestling move?
A: Roll through tilt.
Q: What do you enjoy the most about wrestling?
A: Being able to compete in high level tournaments.
Q: What is one wrestling skill that you need to work on, and how have you tried to address it?
A: Constantly keeping a low stance. Stance and motion drills.
Q: What’s your favorite subject in school, and how important is it to you to maintain good grades?
A: History. It’s important because you need to keep good grades to be able to compete.
Q: Tell us about any work you’re doing in the community.
A: Keeping score for our youth wrestling program.
Q: How did you train during the summer for this wrestling season?
A: Wisconsin National team and practicing freestyle and Greco at Kangaroo wrestling club.
Q: How do you think going to the J Robinson Intensive Camp helped you?
A: It taught me mental toughness and showed me that hard work really does pay off.
Q: What are your goals for this wrestling season?
A: Win a Team and Individual State Title.
Trent Leon
Q: How long have you been wrestling, and why did you get into the sport?
A: 11 years. I got into the sport because wrestling was the first sport that was offered to me at the age of 5.
Q: How did having a brother help you to become a better wrestler?
A: Having a big brother in wrestling helped me become a better wrestler because he’s always been there to motivate me when times were tough. He’s been a person I could look up to every wrestling season since we were little kids and I think that’s really special.
Q: What is your favorite wrestling memory or moment in your career?
A: My favorite wrestling memory so far would have to be winning Team State for the first time in Kaukauna history.
Q: What is your favorite wrestling move?
A: Low single.
Q: What do you enjoy the most about wrestling?
A: I enjoy being on a team that has been very close through all my wrestling seasons. I consider them my second family.
Q: What is one wrestling skill that you need to work on, and how have you tried to address it?
A: One skill I need to work on is riding on top. I’ve addressed it by trying out different rides and practicing the ones I feel comfortable with.
Q: What’s your favorite subject in school, and how important is it to you to maintain good grades?
A: Math. Maintaining good grades is very important to me because I want to be able to get into a college I want to go to.
Q: Tell us about any work you’re doing in the community.
A: Running chains and coaching for youth football.
Q: How did you train during the summer for this wrestling season?
A: In the summer I trained for this season by weight lifting and getting together with a group of wrestlers to get a good workout in every week or so.
Q: How do you think going to the J Robinson Intensive Camp helped you?
A: Going to the 28 day Jrob Camp showed me what hard work really was, and how hard you have to work to reach your goals.
Q: What are your goals for this wrestling season?
A: Get another Team State title and place at the Individual State Tournament.
DECEMBER 2014
Quint Baldwin
Senior, River Bluff High School, Lexington, South Carolina
2014 Minnesota Intensive Camper
Quint attended the 2014 28 Day Intensive Camp in Minneapolis, MN. After going 19-1 in his South Carolina region at 138 pounds and winning the regional tournament in 2014, Quint decided to commit to even greater success in 2015 by coming to the most challenging camp in the country. We asked Quint a few questions about his life, wrestling, and camp to see where he's at and what he hopes to accomplish this year.
Q: How do you think going to the Minnesota 28 Day Wrestling Camp helped you?
A: It has made me a better human being first of all. I feel like a lot of people nowadays never truly push themselves to their breaking point and beyond. People are afraid of going into those dark rooms where you really have to question why you are doing certain things. I have found myself in the practice room during a hard session and just thought “I’ve been in worse, let’s crank this up a notch.” Or had to wake up early and just thought, “Well, I’ve been through worse. Sleep is the cousin of death, get up and go.”
JRob has given me great habits that will help me further in life, in the workforce, and with providing for a family. It has taught me more about myself and given me a certain “swagger” or confidence to the way I deal with things. I am more compassionate, more caring, and more driven than I’ve ever been.
Q: How long have you been wrestling, and why did you get into the sport?
A: I got into wrestling in middle school, so about half a decade. I got into wrestling because my dad did it in high school, and I was kinda a little bit of a nerd looking to get in shape.
Q: What is your favorite wrestling memory or moment in your career?
A: Graduating JRob with the “I Did It” shirt? I really have no clue, I’ve had a great career so far, but it’s hard to chose my favorite moment, because I feel like the best is to come.
Q: What is your favorite wrestling move?
A: Sweep single, or a cross body ride with a power half.
Q: What do you enjoy the most about wrestling?
A: I like the discipline it has brought into my life, and how it’s helped me understand myself. I’ve gained a lot of self respect and confidence from wrestling too.
Q: What is one wrestling skill that you need to work on, and how have you tried to address it?
A: It’ll sound silly, but actually visualizing my techniques. I do that for about 15 minutes before going to bed. I focus on specific techniques I can encounter in a match and repetitively drill them again and again in my head. This is helped with chain wrestling, and has gotten to a point where I am not so much thinking about what to hit and when, I’m just moving and hitting shots and working angles. From doing so, my bottom work, one of my weaknesses has improved tremendously.
Q: What’s your favorite subject in school?
A: Probably something in social studies, economics, ect. I like money and the psychology behind how our economy works.
Q: Tell us about any work you’re doing in the community.
A: My homeroom teacher holds a memorial 5K run for his 4 year old daughter, Ella Schumate, who was killed by a drunk driver in 2011. He also holds a stocking stuffing for needy families around Columbia called Ella’s Stuff-a-Stocking. We adopted 70 children from around Columbia last year as a school and collectively helped provide their essentials as well as their Christmas wish list.
Q: What college do you plan on attending?
A: The Military College of South Carolina, Class of 2019.
Q: How did you train during the summer for this wrestling season?
A: I lifted 4 times a week, and ran 3. I focused on technique more so than live matches, improving my skill set and set ups.
Q: What are your goals for this year?
I'd like to win a State Championship, have the most pins on my team, and maintain a better than 3.0 GPA.