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Contact: Clark Teuscher, Sports Information Director, 630-637-5302
(article posted by Jeremy Rushing, Student Sports Information Assistant)

Mar. 12, 2013 - In his first year at North Central College, wrestler Nick Santos finished with an overall record of 16-13, all of his matches being at 125 pounds.  The exercise science major also recorded four pins on the year.  Last season, as a Sophomore, the Naperville native posted an overall record of 6-8, wrestling at both 125 and 133 pounds.  He finished 3-6 at 125 and 3-2 at 133.
               
As a junior, Nick went 28-21 and posted second-place finishes at the Spartan Mat Classic, Wheaton Invite, and Blugold Invitational as well as a fifth-place showing at the NCAA Division III Midwest Regional Championships.

When did you begin Wrestling?
I started Wrestling when I was in sixth grade.  I was 12.  I really liked pro wrestling and wondered if wrestling in school was the same.  Obviously it's not (laughs) but I fell in love with the sport.

As an athlete, do you feel your exercise science background could give you an advantage over someone who doesn't have that background?
I think it does, more so in the training aspect of the sport.  When training, whoever can prepare themselves the best through nutrition, lifting, and cardio has an advantage when it comes to competition time so I think it helps a lot.
 
You have mostly wrestled at 125 pounds in your time at North Central.  What's the difference between matches at lower weights than matches at higher weights?
 I'd say we're a lot quicker.  Even compared to 141 or 149, it's a lot faster pace.  There's a lot more scrambling too.
 
Your team took a trip to Florida this year.  What was that experience like?
We had to cut weight when we got down there so that wasn't a great start (laughs) but we wrestled pretty good in our meet.  It was nice to have some tough competition.  The day after we ate a lot and hung out on the beach (laughs) so it was really nice.  The weather was also perfect there, so it was nice to get out of the weather here.

What are your plans after graduation?
I'm looking at physical therapy school, chiropractic school, or training to be a physician's assistant.  So either way it's more school after I'm done here (laughs).