Robert Minden '24 Recruiting Profile

My name is Robert Minden and I love wrestling and self-improvement. My academics have always been outstanding, with my weighted GPA at 4.552.  I began wrestling in 8th grade and I fell in love with it, even though I was terrible. During my freshman year I only won 2 matches the entire season. But that did not discourage me.  I continued to practice and learn round the clock. My sophomore year I lost 4-1 in blood rounds at state, and by my junior year I took 5th at state despite being a few pounds underweight at the 144 weight class each day.  I learned an incredible amount from the experience and this year I strive to be an Arizona state champion, in a very competitive bracket.  So far this year. I have placed first and second place in our first two tournaments.  I have made podium at every tournament I participated in over the past year except Nationals, where I represented Team Alaska in Fargo.  I pride myself in never giving up, wanting to win more than anyone else, and always working hard to better myself.   

My upbringing encouraged me to become very adaptable to different circumstances and embrace new opportunities.  I grew up going back and forth between the hot, dry desert of Arizona and the rainforest of Alaska each year. For several years I would start my school year in the tiny town of Seward, Alaska, with a graduating class of 35 students, and then transfer mid year to Lake Havasu City, Arizona, where my graduating class is approximately 400 students.  To this day, I continue to go back and forth between Arizona during the school year and Alaska during the summer.   

So, what sets me apart from others? My overwhelming passion for both wrestling and high academic achievement, along with my adaptability to any situation and location.