Mo-Town Grapplers 11/21/04
By Darren Rabinowitz

Matt Anderson Talks about Wrestling At Lehigh

Note: Lehigh University Soph 149 pound wrestler Matt Anderson was a guest clinician at the Mo-Town Grapplers summertime clinic. A graduate of wrestling hotbed South Plainfield HS in New Jersey, Matt is one of the schools greatest wrestlers. The 3 time state finalist won 1 state title, 3 region, 4 district and 4 county titles on his way to compiling a 127-5 career record. Sixth grade Mo-Town Grappler Darren Rabinowitz caught up with Matt just as the 2004-05 collegiate season began and he found some time to answer a few of Darren's questions via e-mail.

At what age did you start to wrestle, and what made you decide to wrestle? "I actually was 7 years old, just about 8. I always loved to watch WWF actually and my neighbor across the street and I would try to be WWF wrestlers on the front lawn everyday. He was a wrestler and convinced me to tryout."

Did you wrestle for a youth program? "Yes I wrestled for South Plainfield Recreation Club. "

Were you good right from the beginning or did it take you some time before you felt comfortable on the mat? "Well to be honest, at most I won 2 matches my first year. The first couple of years of wrestling for me were done on the B-Team (Junior Varsity), with a handful of wins in the two years combined and many losses. It took a very long time to begin to pick up on wrestling."

What were your youth wrestling coaches like? How did they motivate you? "Well the best thing about our coaches, were that they were very strict and made it fun for us at the same time. They put in so much time even with the little guys."

Did you wrestle for your Middle School? How did it affect your social life? "I did wrestle for my middle school and that was about the time when wrestling began to be a major sacrifice. I would be at a tournament every weekend and be at a wrestling practice 5 times a week minimum. This is when wrestling started conflicting with my “play time” and time with my friends. Granted wrestling has always been a huge sacrifice, reaching your goals makes everything well worth it!"

How did it feel to win a New Jersey State Title? "Winning a New Jersey state title was an incredible feeling. At the time I felt so satisfied with everything. This is one of those times that make all the sacrifices and hard work totally worth it."

What was the biggest difference between competing in Middle School and High School? "Well very similar to moving up in any divisions, it gets much harder. It is a true test to see how you deal with adversity and change. You have to know how to adjust and continue to work harder than everyone else."

Why did you choose Lehigh University? "Well there were many reasons behind my decision to come to Lehigh University. One reason is that, it is by far the best all around school. It’s a top school in the country for academics as well as wrestling. Another important reason for my decision was the Coaches. Our Coaches are our friends, coaches and examples all at the same time. They are so knowledgeable in wrestling and coaching that they make you the best man you can be leaving Lehigh University."

You are so much taller than most of your opponents in college, how does that effect your style? "Well considering I need to make up for the lack of muscle, I just try and use positives of being taller to my advantage. There are many negative and positive things in being taller in wrestling, but it’s how you use what you have that makes the difference so I try and do just that."

Currently you are a sophomore, what are your goals for the next few years? "Well my ultimate goal is set on a NCAA Title. I have my goals set on that now and each year, I just hope to out do myself and overachieve."

What advice would you give to youth wrestlers? "Well the biggest thing is that wrestling is a sport that involves more commitment, dedication and sacrifice than any other sport. It takes a special kind of person to be a wrestler. As difficult as it gets, continue to work hard, make the sacrifices and give it all you got and I can PROMISE you that it will all pay off.