Kevin LeValley
2012 Olympic Team Trials Qualifier
2012 University World Team Trials Freestyle Champion
2X NCAA Division 1 All-American-Bucknell University
2011 EIWA Conference Champion
4X Colorado High School State Champion

After graduating from Bucknell University in 2011 as their all-time wins leader, Kevin LeValley joined the University of Minnesota as an assistant coach, and plays a major role on the staff of J Robinson Intensive Camps. LeValley also trains and competes for the Minnesota Storm wrestling club, recently winning freestyle titles at the 2013 Cerro Pelado International in Cuba and the 2012 Hargobind International in Canada.

As the season draws to a close, wrestlers around the country begin to prepare for their organization’s culminating event. Everything before this point has been nothing but preparation. Deep down, each wrestler knows that this is the time where goals are achieved and legends are born.

Ten or twenty years from now, not a soul will ask how you did at the Husky Open or the Badger Invitational. Instead, you will be asked to sum up your career in a few words, reflecting on the big tournaments. When all the dust had settled, where did you stand?

It’s a scary time for some, a stressful time for all. And, with all of the stress and all of the hype, what can put your mind at ease?

As a seasoned competitor, I too know the feelings and emotions that go along with the end of a long season. It wasn’t long ago that I spent many sleepless nights staring at my ceiling, pondering the competition ahead of me.

Now, looking back, I can reflect on the specific mental preparation that I went through to put my mind at ease on those sleepless nights. First, I visualized all of the work that I had done leading up to that point in the season. I recalled the extra workouts, the sprints after practice, and the extreme dedication I had displayed, surrounding myself with like-minded people for the entire duration of the season. In short, I remembered why I deserved to win. Next however, I began to partake in what I believe was my most important ritual…routine.

There is some comfort to be found in routine, a sense of familiarity that puts the mind at ease. With routine, there are no surprises. This is why I believe routine was so important to me, and continues to be a significant part of my training regimen. My routine throughout my high-school and college years grew into a near-obsession. I woke at the same time every day, ate the same thing for breakfast, and folded my clothes in the same manner before each workout. My daily schedule often bordered on extreme “OCD”, and I was often mocked for it. Even so, I did not hesitate to remain consistent. As competitions drew near, I prepared in the same way each week. I came into workouts at the same weight, went through the same warm up with the same partner, and taped my right shoe before my left….every single time.

I hope that my obsession with routine has at least put a smirk on your face by now, but regardless of your reaction, I am certain that you are at least curious. Why would I knowingly put so much effort into so many, seemingly meaningless, actions? The answer is consistency. By doing everything the same, I always knew exactly how my body and mind would feel going into a competition. It doesn’t matter whether it is the first dual of the season or the final match of a career, routine provides comfort and confidence.

So, as the season draws to an end for wrestlers around the country, I encourage each individual to find comfort and confidence. Reflect back on your preparation; know that you have put in the work. Don’t sway from your routine. It has gotten you this far….stick with what you do best!

-Kevin LeValley