They are three wrestlers with a story of success. All earned four state championships in their high school wrestling program.
NU's Matt Vacanti, Mike Rowe and Chris Oliver all have a story to tell.
During his high school career, NU redshirt freshman Matt Vacanti won 128 out of 129 matches. The near-undefeated wrestler was the 13th in Nebraska's history to earn four state titles, earning him a No. 3 national ranking at 140 pounds by Intermat. During his junior season, he pinned all 35 wrestlers he faced.
Vacanti decided to sign on with the Cornhuskers to wrestle in the 133-pound weight class in hopes of continuing his success. From the moment he stepped on the Nebraska mat, he said, his high school success didn't matter anymore.
He said all his prep success accomplished was making everyone's hopes and expectations much higher for him in college.
Having traveled less than an hour away from his home in Papillion, his family and friends have still been able to cheer him on. Vacanti said it puts more pressure on him, though he doesn't let it change how he wrestles.
"Wrestling my whole life has been like a business," Vacanti said. "I don't want anything to affect me too much."
Vacanti went 17-2 in his first season with the Huskers and was named Nebraska's standout redshirt wrestler last year by the team. He said his goals are set for him to become a champion once again.
NU sophomore Mike Rowe came to Nebraska from Huntington, Md. He was yet another high school success story, winning four state championships and three national prep championships and was twice honored as a Cadet All-American. Rowe said he did not want to be someone who was good in high school and disappeared from the national scene once he graduated. His success in high school made him realize he had to keep working harder to continue getting better.
"It pretty much gave me confidence, coming into college," Rowe said, "and it motivated me to work hard when I got here."
Rowe said it was a big change coming to college wrestling. The matches were much more intense, but his team has helped him out.
"Coming (to Nebraska), practice is much tougher," said Rowe, who is wrestling at 141 pounds. "I try to work out with all the good guys on our team, and we have a lot of good workout partners."
In Nebraska's 157-pound weight class, NU junior Chris Oliver is Nebraska's third wrestler who has enjoyed a successful high school past with four state titles. He was undefeated in 130 matches, yet he said people didn't look at him any differently than anyone else.
He said with the immense challenge that the college scene presents, it's tough to be too proud of past high school accomplishments.
"You kind of start on a clean slate," Oliver said. "Once you get here, I think it is the hard work you put into the room is what gains you respect by coaches and teammates."
danaahrens@dailynebraskan.com
