The Black Hat
The Black Hat award was established in the early 1990s at the Oregon 14-Day Intensive Camp as a special recognition for the most deserving camper in each wrestling group. The idea originated from Army Ranger School in which a “Distinguished Honor Graduate” is chosen from each Ranger class. In addition, three other candidates are chosen as Honor Graduates.
Not wanting to choose just one wrestler as a lone Distinguished Honor Graduate, the recognition is spread out among all the wrestling groups in camp. We select one athlete from each wrestling group to be an Honor Graduate—what we call a Black Hat winner.
We evaluate the wrestlers based on leadership within their wrestling and running group, support of other athletes during camp, and embodiment of the characteristics of the J7—Discipline, Dedication, Sacrifice, Hard Work, Responsibility, Accountability, and Service. Depending on the number of wrestling groups per camp, there can be anywhere from three to five Black Hats awarded at each camp.
We give each Black Hat winner a Q&A that they fill out at the end of camp. Read below to learn more about each of our award winners from 2014.
2014
Iowa Intensive Camp: Chad Green, Adrian Molina, Michael Suda
Pennslyvania Intensive Camp: Josh Hibbs, Jacob Sandlin, Luke Rivera, Ryan Resnick
Minnesota Intensive Camp: Riley Palmer, Carlos Aucancela, Tanner Swinehart, Drake Healey, Matteo Ambriz
Oregon Intensive Camp: Ian Timmins, Alex Kudryashov, Seth Rich, Graysen Sorensen
Iowa
From left to right: Chad Green, Adrian Molina, Michael Suda
Chad Green
Madison High School
Rexburg, Idaho
Q: Who is a role model you look up to and why?
A: My role model that I look up to is my dad. He has always taught me how to work hard.
Q: What was your favorite part of camp and why did you choose to come here?
A: My favorite part of camp was the hard wrestling practices because I was pushed past my limit and learned what hard work really meant.
Q: Who was your favorite coach at camp and why?
A: Tom Giaimo, he started me off by pushing me to work my hardest.
Q: What/who is your inspiration to wrestle and why?
A: My dad and my older brother. They were great wrestlers and I’ve always wanted to be as good or better than them.
Q: What is the most valuable thing you learned at camp?
A: How to work hard in everything I do.
Q: To improve as a person, I need to…
A: Work hard, care about others more than myself, and never quit.
Q: What is the biggest benefit this camp has provided you with?
A: A higher standard of hard work.
Q: What was the hardest thing about camp?
A: Being able to push through all four practices without going through the motions every day
Q: What advice would you give to a future camper?
A: To benefit from this camp you cannot just go through the motions.
Q: What are some things you learned at camp?
A: You can be the top ten in everything you do if you work harder than everybody else, you have a choice in everything.
Adrian Molina
University High School of Tolleson
Tolleson, Arizona
Q: Who is a role model you look up to and why?
A: I look up to army rangers because they are some of the hardest working soldiers in the armed forces.
Q: What was your favorite part of camp and why did you choose to come here?
A: My favorite part of camp was the hard wrestling sessions. I chose to come to the intensive camp because I wanted to push myself to new limits.
Q: Who was your favorite coach at camp and why?
A: My favorite coach at this camp was coach woody because h was very serious in getting us to work harder than we thought we could.
Q: What/who is your inspiration to wrestle and why?
A: My younger brother, Alexis Molina, was my inspiration to wrestler because h is the only person I could talk to most of the time
Q: What is the most valuable thing you learned at camp?
A: The most valuable thing I learned at this camp was going to my limits and pushing myself further to new limits to break
Q: To improve as a person, I need to…
A: Work hard to meet the standards I set myself in my philosophy.
Q: What is the biggest benefit this camp has provided you with?
A: The biggest benefit the camp has provided me with was a controlled environment in which I could workout with intensity
Q: What was the hardest thing about camp?
A: The hardest thing at camp was doing the Rambo Run; 1000 yards and 250 pushups is extremely pushing past my limits
Q: What advice would you give to a future camper?
A: I tell all future campers to not stop moving, even if you are injured, get patched up and keep doing the best you can do.
Q: What are some things you learned at camp?
A: I learned how to meet and go past my standards in life as much as I learned one of the most memorable J Rob quotes of all, “if nothing changes, nothing changes”
Michael Suda
Pipestone Area School
Pipestone, MN
Q: Who is a role model you look up to and why?
A:My parents in Africa because they worked hard to take care of me so now I work hard.
Q: What was your favorite part of camp and why did you choose to come here?
A: Hanging out with new friends
Q: Who was your favorite coach at camp and why?
A: Jayson Ness. He explains things and he has been where I am going.
Q: What/who is your inspiration to wrestle and why?
A: Tom Ploeger. He takes me to wrestling meets.
Q: What is the most valuable thing you learned at camp?
A: To work hard and never give up
Q: To improve as a person, I need to…
A: Set goals and work hard to get them done
Q: What is the biggest benefit this camp has provided you with?
A: A mind set of getting it done
Q: What was the hardest thing about camp?
A: Waking up early every morning
Q: What advice would you give to a future camper?
A: It teaches more than wrestling
Q: What are some things you learned at camp?
A: Work hard, help others, and be humble.
Pennsylvania
From left to right: Josh Hibbs, Jacob Sandlin, Ryan Resnick, Luke Rivera
Josh Hibbs
Indian River High School
Chesapeake, Virginia
Q: Who is a role model you look up to and why?
A: My uncle Justin. He was a state champ and black hat winner as well and that was part of my motivation through camp.
Q: What was your favorite part of camp and why did you choose to come here?
A: Meeting and wrestling with the college guys and because I wanted to get mentally tougher and push myself harder than ever before.
Q: Who was your favorite coach at camp and why?
A: Coach Brett Pfarr. He was funny.
Q: What/who is your inspiration to wrestle and why?
A: My uncle Justin. I look at him and see where this sport has gotten him and its paid off.
Q: What is the most valuable thing you learned at camp?
A: Everything is a mental game if you tell yourself you can do it you will but if you don’t that’s when stuff starts going wrong.
Q: To improve as a person, I need to…
A: Take what J and this camp has taught me to use it in my everyday life.
Q: What is the biggest benefit this camp has provided you with?
A: I can do anything if I put my mind to it.
Q: What was the hardest thing about camp?
A: Doing the workouts when you’re tired and sore.
Q: What advice would you give to a future camper?
A: If you want to make it through this camp a little easier you need to rest when you can and put the right food in your body
Q: What are some things you learned at camp?
A: Time is precious. You’ll never get it back, so use it wisely. Also, when you think you can’t do anymore you’re just scratching the surface.
Jacob Sandlin
Plano West Senior High School
Plano, Texas
Q: Who is a role model you look up to and why?
A: As far as wrestling goes, my inspiration came from older teammates that I look up to.
Q: What was your favorite part of camp and why did you choose to come here?
A: My favorite part of camp was the feeling after getting a positive. My teammate tried to get me to come to camp last year, and I reluctantly came this year.
Q: Who was your favorite coach at camp and why?
A: Roycraft was my favorite coach because of the love/hate relationship we shared.
Q: What/who is your inspiration to wrestle and why?
A: I am my own inspiration. I like tow wrestler to push myself and see how many walls I can break through.
Q: What is the most valuable thing you learned at camp?
A: The most valuable thing I learned at camp is time efficiency. I learned that if you’re not early, you’re late.
Q: To improve as a person, I need to…
A: Set attainable goals and make sure I accomplish them.
Q: What is the biggest benefit this camp has provided you with?
A: The biggest benefit I gained is the mental strength.
Q: What was the hardest thing about camp?
A: The hardest thing about camp is surviving the first 3-5 days of soreness.
Q: What advice would you give to a future camper?
A: I would advise a camper to create a checklist before going.
Q: What are some things you learned at camp?
A: I learned that hard work is noticed and appreciated. Consistency is key for success.
Ryan Resnick
Owen J. Roberts High School
Chester Springs, Pennsylvania
Q: Who is a role model you look up to and why?
A: My role model is my dad. He has always been there to support me and help me make it through anything.
Q: What was your favorite part of camp and why did you choose to come here?
A: My favorite part of the camp was when we did the “I’m gonna be somebody” and the “I did it” chants. I came here to get the extra motivation I need to become a state champion.
Q: Who was your favorite coach at camp and why?
A: Brett Pfarr because he is a really cool coach while also being able to push you and make you get to your wall and get around it.
Q: What/who is your inspiration to wrestle and why?
A: My inspiration to wrestler is Jordan Burroughs because he didn’t start off his career as an amazing wrestler, but he kept pushing and now he is an Olympic Champion.
Q: What is the most valuable thing you learned at camp?
A: The most valuable thing I learned at camp was the fact that when you get to a wall and you feel like you can’t get through it you need to push through it, and get through that wall and when you do, that is when you get stronger physically and mentally.
Q: To improve as a person, I need to…
A: To improve as a person I need to follow the J7 – Discipline, dedication, sacrifice, hard work, responsibility, accountability, and service.
Q: What is the biggest benefit this camp has provided you with?
A: It has increased my ability and mental toughness. I know I can do anything, which can help me for the rest of my life, not only with wrestling.
Q: What was the hardest thing about camp?
A: The repetitive hard schedule, but that hard schedule is also what made you tougher at the end of the day.
Q: What advice would you give to a future camper?
A: Stay positive, it’s not supposed to be easy, if it was everyone would be here. Never give up, because YOU CAN DO IT!!
Q: What are some things you learned at camp?
A: I’ve learned that staying positive on things can help make someone’s day a lot better. Also while at this camp I learned to take things day by day when the going gets tough.
Luke Rivera
Loudoun County High School
Leesburg, Virginia
Q: Who is a role model you look up to and why?
A: My dad because he has always been by my side and supports me in everything.
Q: What was your favorite part of camp and why did you choose to come here?
A: My favorite part about camp was hard practices. I chose to come here because I want to be the best
Q: Who was your favorite coach at camp and why?
A: Brett Pfarr was my favorite coach because he didn’t take crap from people and always pushed me to work harder.
Q: What/who is your inspiration to wrestle and why?
A: Luke Becker has always been my inspiration to wrestler because my dad coached him in high school and he became a very successful wrestler.
Q: What is the most valuable thing you learned at camp?
A: Responsibility has been the most valuable thing I learned.
Q: To improve as a person, I need to…
A: Be disciplined
Q: What is the biggest benefit this camp has provided you with?
A: I know how to work hard and what hard work means
Q: What was the hardest thing about camp?
A: The morning runs
Q: What advice would you give to a future camper?
A: Don’t think about the number of days in the camp.
Q: What are some things you learned at camp?
A: Life is too valuable to not work hard for what you want.
Minnesota
From left to right: Riley Palmer, Matteo Ambriz, Drake Healey, Tanner Swinehart, Carlos Aucancela
Riley Palmer
Council Rock South High School
Richboro, Pennsylvania
Q: Who is a role model you look up to and why?
A: I don’t have a role model that I look up to.
Q: What was your favorite part of camp and why did you choose to come here?
A: My favorite part of camp was meeting new people. And I chose to come here because it helped me a lot when I came last year.
Q: Who was your favorite coach at camp and why?
A: My favorite coach was coach Roycraft because he would go out of his way to help me when I asked and was very knowledgeable and funny.
Q: What/who is your inspiration to wrestle and why?
A: I don’t have any single person but I would have to say anyone that is standing in my way to winning a state title.
Q: What is the most valuable thing you learned at camp?
A: That you can always do more than you think.
Q: To improve as a person, I need to…
A: Utilize all the life lessons that J has stressed to us
Q: What is the biggest benefit this camp has provided you with?
A: The biggest benefit would have to be the technique
Q: What was the hardest thing about camp?
A: I would have to say the running in the morning
Q: What advice would you give to a future camper?
A: I would tell them to take it one workout at a time
Q: What are some things you learned at camp?
A: I learned some new technique and the lessons that J has taught us
Matteo Ambriz
Windsor High School
Windsor, Colorado
Q: Who is a role model you look up to and why?
A: I look up to my coach because he has accomplished quite a lot in his life and I would like to do the same.
Q: Who was your favorite coach at camp and why?
A: Coach Joshua Mora because he was able to push me and overall was very serious but when he did not need to be serious he was funny
Q: What/who is your inspiration to wrestle and why?
A: My mom and dad.
Q: What is the most valuable thing you learned at camp?
A: The most valuable thing was how to perform under pressure.
Q: To improve as a person, I need to…
A: Start donating more of my time to the community
Q: What is the biggest benefit this camp has provided you with?
A: The ability to outwork my opponent.
Q: What was the hardest thing about camp?
A: Getting up every morning and having to push yourself to be your very best.
Q: What advice would you give to a future camper?
A: Do not worry about points just vie it your all and everything will be okay.
Q: What are some things you learned at camp?
A: I learned what I must do to become a better person overall and what it means to work hard.
Drake Healey
Iowa Valley High School
Marengo, Iowa
Q: Who is a role model you look up to and why?
A: My grandpa, because he is the reason why I wrestle.
Q: What was your favorite part of camp and why did you choose to come here?
A: Valley fair because I got to hang with friends, and I wanted to accomplish my goals.
Q: Who was your favorite coach at camp and why?
A: Roycraft because he was super chill and hung out with us
Q: What/who is your inspiration to wrestle and why?
A: My grandpa because he passed away and it has motivated me to make him proud
Q: What is the most valuable thing you learned at camp?
A: How to change.
Q: To improve as a person, I need to…
A: Learn how to say no.
Q: What is the biggest benefit this camp has provided you with?
A: Being able to work hard.
Q: What was the hardest thing about camp?
A: The first week
Q: What advice would you give to a future camper?
A: Don’t count down the days
Q: What are some things you learned at camp?
A: How to do the egg roll.
Tanner Swinehart
Central High School
Monmouth, Oregon
Q: Who is a role model you look up to and why?
A: I look up to my dad because he has taught me to work hard and how to serve others.
Q: What was your favorite part of camp and why did you choose to come here?
A: My favorite part was hard practice because it was fun and you wrestler which is what I love to do.
Q: Who was your favorite coach at camp and why?
A: John Roycraft because he is my cousin and he was fun to talk to. Also he put in extra time with me after practice.
Q: What/who is your inspiration to wrestle and why?
A: I just like the relationship between hard work and reward and you don’t have to have a certain body type to be successful.
Q: What is the most valuable thing you learned at camp?
A: I learned that if I want something go and get it and work hard and you can get it.
Q: To improve as a person, I need to…
A: I need to study my scriptures and say my prayers more so that I can be the best version of myself.
Q: What is the biggest benefit this camp has provided you with?
A: This camp has helped me realize that I can obtain my goals, it has also given me much more confidence in my goals.
Q: What was the hardest thing about camp?
A: Honestly I did not like the morning and afternoon runs. Sometimes those were just terrible but I did enjoy the lifts.
Q: What advice would you give to a future camper?
A: Be there to work hard and don’t be late. Tardies can kill your points.
Q: What are some things you learned at camp?
A: Joe Russell through his story taught me that I can win a national title because if he can get as good as he was when he was a junior in high school and then also respond the way he did to his accident I know I can win a national title.
Carlos Aucancela
Brentwood High School
Brentwood, New York
Q: Who is a role model you look up to and why?
A: Even though it wound typical, my mother has always been my role model. I admire her for being both my mother and father. She has always led by example and someone like that is needed in your life.
Q: What was your favorite part of camp and why did you choose to come here?
A: The soccer tournament was really fun, it was necessary to keep me sane. Doing straight workouts every day for 28 days will drive a man crazy.
Q: Who was your favorite coach at camp and why?
A: I think woody is a great coach just because he’s funny and knows how to get things done.
Q: What/who is your inspiration to wrestle and why?
A: I am inspired to wrestle by my little brother. He looks up to me so I am his role model and therefore motivates me to excel in wrestling as well as school.
Q: What is the most valuable thing you learned at camp?
A: Probably the most important thing that I learned here was how to budget my time wisely and how to push myself.
Q: To improve as a person, I need to…
A: In order to improve, I feel like I need to stop dwelling in the past and just move on. For example, not hold any grudges.
Q: What is the biggest benefit this camp has provided you with?
A: Mental strength. There were many times where I wanted to break but the thought of enjoying the feeling of success in the end held me together.
Q: What was the hardest thing about camp?
A: The morning runs were probably the hardest workouts simply because it’s hard waking up early and functioning,
Q: What advice would you give to a future camper?
A: I would advise them to be on time and not procrastinate. Also learn to put your phone away at night, it is a big distraction and you will pay the consequence in the morning when you’re all tired.
Q: What are some things you learned at camp?
A: I think learning to appreciate and be thankful are important topics that I learned here. I also learned to take things little by little. In order to complete this camp, you must take it day by day.
Oregon
From left to right: Graysen Sorensen, Ian Timmins, Seth Rich, Alex Kudryashov
Graysen Sorensen
Grace Christian High School
Anchorage, Alaska
Q: Who is a role model you look up to and why?
A: Isaac deaton. He’s an excellent wrestler, an all-american, and down-to-earth and a friendly person. Also a previous black hat winner himself.
Q: What was your favorite part of camp and why did you choose to come here?
A: I wanted to get better at wrestling. My favorite part of camp is the wrestling during hard practice.
Q: Who was your favorite coach at camp and why?
A: Brad dolezal or jayson ness.
Q: What/who is your inspiration to wrestle and why?
A: State champs before me, because I want to be state champ too.
Q: What is the most valuable thing you learned at camp?
A: To outwork everyone, to fight harder, and to learn good setups
Q: To improve as a person, I need to…
A: Read the bible more, workout daily, and stay humble bc I’m not better than anyone else.
Q: What is the biggest benefit this camp has provided you with?
A: Greater match time intensity, better setups and driving doubles. Also the accomplishement of “doing it” 3 times.
Q: What was the hardest thing about camp?
A: Waking up after a nice nap to go to hard practice, or the morning runs.
Q: What advice would you give to a future camper?
A: Bring a fan or rent one before they sell out. Also seek to get the most out of hard practices, they can be fun.
Q: What are some things you learned at camp?
A: I learned better way to drive doubles, some hi-c setups and a whole plethora of other moves. I improved my work ethic and wrestling skill, learned more about being excellent in all that I do.
Ian Timmins
Wooster High School
Sparks, Nevada
Q: Who is a role model you look up to and why?
A: I look up to Jordan Burroughs because he is a great wrestler but very humble.
Q: What was your favorite part of camp and why did you choose to come here?
A: My favorite part of the camp was the practices. I decided to come because every one said it was so hard and I wanted to do it better than them.
Q: Who was your favorite coach at camp and why?
A: Jason ness because he was hard on me but helped me
Q: What/who is your inspiration to wrestle and why?
A: I wanted to be a gladiator what I was young and wrestling was the closest thing to being a warrior and I learned to love it
Q: What is the most valuable thing you learned at camp?
A: Time management
Q: To improve as a person, I need to…
A: Help others more and use my time better
Q: What is the biggest benefit this camp has provided you with?
A: The biggest benefit is the life skills that we learn
Q: What was the hardest thing about camp?
A: Then hardest thing for me was after I got my first positive I knew I couldn’t let up so I had to keep pushing every day.
Q: What advice would you give to a future camper?
A: Come ready to work with the attitude that it will only make you better
Q: What are some things you learned at camp?
A: One really important thing I learned is that it doesn’t matter how good you are now it’s about what you will become.
Seth Rich
Syracuse High School
Syracuse, Utah
Q: Who is a role model you look up to and why?
A: My brother Zane (past camper). He has always been there to push me to be better and to achieve greatness in all aspects.
Q: What was your favorite part of camp and why did you choose to come here?
A: Hard practice because it really pushed me to my limits. I am a past camper and I am hungry for success.
Q: Who was your favorite coach at camp and why?
A: Jayson ness. He helped me out a ton and wrestled with me to show me what I needed to work on
Q: What/who is your inspiration to wrestle and why?
A: My inspiration to wrestler was my dad. He signed me up and dragged me all over the country to wrestle.
Q: What is the most valuable thing you learned at camp?
A: Just to keep working hard and not give up when the going gets tough.
Q: To improve as a person, I need to…
A: Just strive to be a better person in all aspects of life, mo matter the situation.
Q: What is the biggest benefit this camp has provided you with?
A: It has taught me how to work hard and to push myself and break the limits.
Q: What was the hardest thing about camp?
A: Getting up getting after it even when I was beaten down physically as well as mentally.
Q: What advice would you give to a future camper?
A: Don’t give up no matter what. It might be hard but you can get through out. NEVER QUIT.
Q: What are some things you learned at camp?
A: To always have a positive attitude even when you don’t want to do it. Just push through the pain and you will be a little bit stronger.
Alex Kudryashov
Redmond High School
Redmond, Washington
Q: Who is a role model you look up to and why?
A: My dad and my coach Trevor. They both always push me to be better at wrestling, and as a person.
Q: What was your favorite part of camp and why did you choose to come here?
A: Favorite part was the bonding between kids who were total stranger. Chose to come to get better.
Q: What is the most valuable thing you learned at camp?
A: I learned to keep working harder even when it seems as there is no more energy left
Q: To improve as a person, I need to…
A: Put others in front of myself
Q: What is the biggest benefit this camp has provided you with?
A: Made me a better wrestler and improved me as a person
Q: What was the hardest thing about camp?
A: Waking up early in the morning and being able to wrestler hard during 6am practice
Q: What advice would you give to a future camper?
A: To take it day by day. Focus on the session ahead and give it all you got.
Q: What are some things you learned at camp?
A: Learned what real hard work looks like, and J taught me valuable life lessons