On the weekend of March 12, Theo Agbi ’15 competed at the National Club Wrestling Association Nationals held in Dallas, Texas. Agbi turned in a stellar performance, earning third place overall in the 285-weight class.
Leading up to his third-place finish, Agbi started off weekend strong, winning his first two matches, the initial coming over Jason Trautmen from Wayne State and the second over Dylan Smith of South Puget Sound Community College. Agbi then moved on to the quarterfinals and suffered his one setback of the weekend.
The senior then went on a tear, winning four consecutive matches, including victories over wrestlers from Liberty and Rochester.
These four matches of course included a win in the consolation finals to earn the third place victory. The win was especially impressive as it came over Ian Jones of the Apprentice School, the same opponent who handed him his sole loss of the tournament.
Agbi finished with a 6-1 record over the course of three days, competing against top wrestlers from across the country and across all three divisions. His 6-1 record in the tournament contributed to his season record of 26-3, a win total that gives him the most wins in a season since Amherst’s wrestling program was rejuvenated.
“The difference between Theo and previous All-American honorees was the fact that he was not a varsity athlete,” said head wrestling coach Eddy Augustin. “The previous All-Americans were successful football players for the Amherst Football Program and could draw on their varsity experiences from training and competition during the most challenging moments, especially at the national tournament. This ‘mental toughness’ is key to have success in any sport, but even more evident in the one on one competitive sport of wrestling. So for Theo, it was more of a work in progress, learning through every match and ultimately, it was the hardest lesson that helped him overcome the biggest challenge to earning All-American honors.
For Augustin, the honor could not have come for a better person. “I’m most proud that Theo earned everything he accomplished this season and in his life,” he said.
