Xander McAnaw '26 Recruiting Profile

My name is Xander McAnaw, and I am a wrestler, Brazilian jiu-jitsu competitor and Honor Roll student.

My love for wrestling began at a young age when I started competing in Jiu Jitsu/grappling at age seven, and I have been dedicated to the sport ever since. Wrestling is not just a physical activity; it requires a great deal of mental toughness, discipline, and determination. These are qualities that I have developed over the years, and they have served me well both in and out of the wrestling room.

My aspirations to compete at a college level are a driving force in my life, and I am committed to working hard every day to achieve this goal. 

Over the past year, I challenged myself to start the wrestling program at my new high school from scratch. This was a significant challenge, but I was determined to make it happen. I had to find someone to donate mats, find a coach, work with the booster club and board of my high school. Through hard work, perseverance, and a lot of support from my community, I was able to establish a successful program that has already made a positive impact on my peer athletes. My experience of building a wrestling program from scratch has enhanced valuable skills such as leadership, teamwork, and problem solving.

When I'm not wrestling or practicing Brazilian jiu-jitsu, I enjoy spending time with my friends and family and trying new adventures. I believe that it's important to have a well-rounded life outside of sports and to embrace new experiences whenever possible.