Kyle Snyder Buckeye Bound

Kyle Snyder Buckeye Bound

Jan 1, 2013 by Willie Saylor
Kyle Snyder Buckeye Bound
Kyle Snyder Buckeye Bound
Willie Saylor, Editor

As a journalist on the trail that often builds friendships with the up-and-coming talent, it’s always wonderful to see the hard work and dedication in the world’s toughest sport pay off with college scholarships and opportunities. It’s even more gratifying when that talent is a class individual who does everything the right way.

On New Year’s Day, 2013, perhaps the nation’s most coveted JR, Kyle Snyder, made a pledge to the Ohio State Buckeyes in what is a well deserved and rewarding opportunity for a youngster with utmost talent and the character to match it.

Snyder burst on the high school scene by winning The Beast of the East, one of the nation’s premier in-season tournaments, as a Freshmen in 2010. And he’s never looked back. Wrestling 220lbs, he’s never lost a regular season match. He’s won all the major events, including Fargo, Super 32, Ironman, and FloNationals.

Although he doesn’t graduate for another 18 months, Snyder was sure Ohio State, Coach Tom Ryan, and his future teammates were the right fit for him. I had a chance to ask Snyder about the particular details regarding his decision.


WS: What was the process in coming to the decision to commit to Ohio State? Did you visit Columbus? Have you talked to the coaches there?

KS: I had narrowed my list of college choices to 5 schools. All of the schools had really amazing coaches and I tried to focus in on certain criteria to help me make my final decision. This was a tough decision for me to make because I really have a lot of respect for the coaches that were recruiting me. I visited Columbus  a couple times and really tried to get to know the coaches, wrestlers, some former Buckeye champions, and current RTC resident athletes. After really becoming familiar with my top choices, I felt like Ohio State was the best fit for me and had all the resources for me to reach my life goals.



WS: What is most attractive to you about the Buckeye program? The team? The facilities? The Ohio Regional Training Center?
 
KS: Ohio State has great coaches and really amazing training opportunities with their RTC program. I felt like I would be challenged there everyday and would be training with guys that have the same goals that I do. The entire program seems like they are on mission to be the best and everyone I had contact with embraces the grind that you need to succeed. 



WS: What is your the relationship with the coaches and wrestlers at OSU like?
 
KS: The program has been built with some really talented coaches that have helped guys get to the top of the podium in both college and international wrestling. They push guys to the limit but also like to have fun along the way and they really seem to want the best in life form their wrestlers. I also like that I would have one of the best 197 pounders in the country  to work out with as a freshman, Andrew Campolattano.



WS: You have said to me in the past that your expectation is to wrestle 197 in college. Is that still the case?
 
KS: That is definitely still the case. I still eat like a football player and after I get down there a few times it will be no issue. 



WS: After this season wraps up for you with National Preps, what will we see you enter? Flonationals? Fila's? Fargo?
 
KS: I will be at a lot of off season events. I love competing! I should be able to make it to Flo, Fila Jrs and the trials, Fargo and some smaller events around Maryland.


Congratulations to Kyle Snyder, the Good Counsel and Ohio State wrestling communities.