Tristan Ellis '16 Recruiting Profile

My goal in college is to get an education that will prepare me to become a business owner. I want to be successful so I can give back to my family that has always encouraged and helped me. What makes me different than other recruits is my work ethics. Most people don't know this about me but, I started my education with a learning disability. I am a person with ADHD. When I got to high school I was taking medication to help control my symptoms. I struggled my freshman year. I began wrestling my sophomore year. That is also the year I stopped taking my medication, with my doctors permission. Through hard work, great coaches and lots of encouragement and support from my family and teachers, I have been able to stay off medication and have excelled at my weight class.

My first year, I lost most of my matches. I knew I could do better and began to focus more on the mat and in the classroom. What I have gained from wrestling, I use to mentor to other young boys of different races struggling with a learning disability. My mother has always taught us if we come through a struggle it is our responsibility to use what we learned to help someone else. I would be the right choice for a program that is looking for an athlete who will give his all every time he hits the mat. Win or lose, I walk away knowing I did my very best and have nothing to be ashamed of. I know that a big part of that is listening to my coaches. I believe my coaches are the experts and only have my and the teams best interest in mind. I do not question their judgement. I love being a part of a team. I am a serious athelete but I also have fun when I wrestle.