Senior Richard Wang, a wrestler with a devotion to academics and athletics, earned a spot on the Harvard University wrestling team in the upcoming fall of 2024. He said the journey has taught him dedication and time management.

Wang said that the most important aspect of getting recruited in high school is one’s grades.

“He works really hard,” senior Saleh Khan said. “Just from personal experience, he’s always doing something… He’s working out, he’s studying, he’s learning, he’s pursuing what his goals are. So he’s very goal-oriented and has a very good work ethic.”

When it came to the college application process, Wang said he discovered that the path for athletes was similar to that of regular admissions. He submitted his essays, ACT scores, and all required documents just like any other applicant. The only difference was that he had the endorsement of his coach and submitted his application earlier than most.

Wang’s experience with college recruitment varied depending on the school and division. He said some D3 schools, such as the University of Chicago and New York University, reached out to him personally, inviting him to visit and discuss the potential fit. However, for D1 schools like Harvard, Wang had to take the initiative and reach out to the coaches himself. He said he attended summer wrestling camps at schools like Harvard, and was able to learn more about recruiting from them.  

“There’s no specific requirement if the coach likes you,” Wang said. “If he’s willing to endorse you, then he will.”

Wang encouraged any aspiring student athletes that want to go collegiate to not rely solely on their sport.

“Aspiring D1 athletes must focus on maintaining excellent grades, as this is the first thing coaches consider when evaluating potential recruits,” Wang said. “For high academic schools like Harvard, grades are of utmost importance, and even a coach’s endorsement cannot override subpar academic performance.”

Looking back on his experience and all the work he put in, Wang said he felt fortunate to have had the opportunity to pursue his athletic and academic dreams. 

“He’s a cool guy, he’s amazingly smart, a very nice person,” Khan said.