Vincent McDonald '22 Recruiting Profile

My name is Vincent McDonald.  I come from a family of wrestlers.  Both my father and uncle wrestled in high school and college.  My uncle was an All-American and is currently a high school wrestling coach in Minnesota. 

I have participated in other sports, displaying natural abilities, but my heart and passion is on the wrestling mat.  I began wrestling at the age of four with the Little Huskies in Oak Park, Illinois.  My father was an active coach and supporter of the team.  I continued with Little Huskies through eighth grade.  I qualified twice for Illinois Kids Wrestling Federation (IKWF) Folkstyle State Tournament – in 7^th grade at 122 pounds and in 8^th grade at 138 pounds.  Wrestling with Little Huskies gave me the opportunity to train with the OPRF High School team and gain exposure to Coaches Mike Powell and Paul Collins.  

The summer before Freshman year, my mother and I moved to Zionsville, Indiana.  I began wrestling at Zionsville Community High School and Zionsville Wrestling Club with coach Doug Welch.  Freshman year, I jumped at the opportunity to fill the 160 Varsity position on our team – finishing 4^th at the Hoosier Crossroads Conference , 3^rd  at sectional, qualifying for regional.  Sophomore year, I filled the 145 Varsity position – finishing 4^th at the Hoosier Crossroads Conference, 1^st at sectional, 4^th at regional, and qualified for Semi-State. I was also selected co-captain of the team – representing my teammates was a great honor.  Junior year I filled the 182 Varsity position -in spite of some health issues I finished 2nd at the Hoosier Crossroads Conference, 2nd at sectional, 3rd at regional and 5th at Semi-State. 

I wrestle year-round competing in Freestyle and Greco.  (Greco may be my favorite style.)  In 2019 I competed at the Indiana Freestyle & Greco State Tournament – finishing 6^th in Greco and 8^th in Freestyle in the Cadet 152 weight class.  In 2021, competed at t Indiana Freestyle & Greco State Tournament - finishing 3rd in both Freestyle and Greco in the Junior 170 weight class - qualifying for Fargo Junior Nationals as part of Team Indiana.

In addition to training with the Zionsville Wrestling Club, I have joined training sessions with Central Indiana Academy of Wrestling (CIA Wrestling) to continue improving my technique and skills with coach Brady Eppert. 

Looking forward to Senior year, I am currently coming in at 6’1” & 182pounds.  My goal is to qualify and place at the Indiana State Championships during Senior year.   

My wrestling teams have been a critical contributor to my personal growth and success.  My father died unexpectedly the summer between 5^th and 6^th grade.  The Oak Park Wrestling community really became my extended family – providing support and focus that helped me get through middle school. My high school wrestling team has also been a huge motivator.  If it was not for these extended families, I might have had very a different outcome in life.   Wrestling will be an important part of my life going forward – continuing the family tradition of wrestling in college and working with next generations of up and coming wrestlers.