#TeamUSATuesday: Men's Freestyle National Team member Nick Gwiazdowski
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by JD Rader, USA Wrestling
Nick Gwiazdowski is currently the No. 1 ranked wrestler at 125 kg/275.6 lbs. for Team USA’s Men’s Freestyle National Team.
2019 marks Gwiazdowski’s third-straight year on the Senior World Team. In two trips to the World Championships, Gwiazdowski has brought home two bronze medals.
Before he was winning Senior World medals, Gwiazdowski was winning NCAA titles. Gwiazdowski won two NCAA titles in his sophomore and junior seasons at North Carolina State University.
Before Gwiazdowski was at NC State, he attended Binghamton University for one year, where he finished in eight place at the NCAA Championships.
In high school, Gwiazdowski was a two-time state champion for Duanesburg High School in New York. He finished his high school career with a record of 199-2.
Gwiazdowski took some time out of his busy schedule to answer some questions.
What is your favorite movie?
Shawshank Redemption. It’s has a great story line about redemption with a lot of twists and turns.
Who is your favorite musical artist?
I’ll have to go with a true classic, Waylon Jennings. He has a great voice and storytelling ability.
What is your favorite food?
Pizza or burgers. Need I say more?
What is your favorite sport to watch other than wrestling?
MMA. All levels too, both high level and entry level.
Did you play any other sports growing up?
Yeah, I played baseball, soccer, and swimming. I hung them all up by eight grade though.
What is your favorite place that you’ve travelled to?
Probably either Mallorca, Spain or Milan, Italy. Both are awesome places!
What do you normally do to pass time when you travel?
I usually either read, watch documentaries, or sleep.
What are some of your hobbies off of the mat?
I like to watch documentaries, grill, go to the pool, throw the football, and go to concerts.
What was your major in college?
Parks recreation and tourism management.
How and why did you end up at NC State?
I transferred to North Carolina State University after Coach Pat got hired as their new head coach. I rolled the dice and decided to move south.
Why have you chosen to stick around Raleigh since finishing your college career?
I have a great support system with great coaches and donors. I also enjoy the area a lot. There’s so many things to do here.
How did you get involved in wrestling?
My neighbors wrestled and they got me started in it.
How has wrestling impacted your life?
Wow. It’s changed everything. From the things I’ve seen and done to the places I’ve been and the people I’ve met. I could have never imagined this life 10 or so years ago. Not sure what I would be doing if I wasn’t doing this.
What kind of advice would you give a younger wrestler?
Keep going. There are always things that are difficult when it comes to getting to the top of any sport or skill. Stick with it and find things that fulfill you from wrestling.
What motivates you during training?
Maximizing my potential with my God given skills.
Is there one moment in your career that sticks out as your favorite?
Winning my NCAA championships, team championships, and World medals.
The Gwiazdowski file
Birthday: Dec. 30, 1992
Hometown: Delanson, N.Y.
High school: Duanesburg HS
College: North Carolina State University (2012-2016), Binghamton University (2011-2012)
Residence: Raleigh, N.C.
Club: TMWC/Wolkfack WC
Twitter: @ngwizzz
Instagram: @ngwizzz
• Two-time World bronze medalist (2017, 2018)
• U.S. Open champion (2017)
• Two-time NCAA champion (2014, 2015)
• Four time NCAA All-American (2013, 2014, 2015, 2016)
• Pan American gold medalist (2018)
• University Nationals champion (2016)
• Two-time New York state champion (2010, 2011)
2019 marks Gwiazdowski’s third-straight year on the Senior World Team. In two trips to the World Championships, Gwiazdowski has brought home two bronze medals.
Before he was winning Senior World medals, Gwiazdowski was winning NCAA titles. Gwiazdowski won two NCAA titles in his sophomore and junior seasons at North Carolina State University.
Before Gwiazdowski was at NC State, he attended Binghamton University for one year, where he finished in eight place at the NCAA Championships.
In high school, Gwiazdowski was a two-time state champion for Duanesburg High School in New York. He finished his high school career with a record of 199-2.
Gwiazdowski took some time out of his busy schedule to answer some questions.
What is your favorite movie?
Shawshank Redemption. It’s has a great story line about redemption with a lot of twists and turns.
Who is your favorite musical artist?
I’ll have to go with a true classic, Waylon Jennings. He has a great voice and storytelling ability.
What is your favorite food?
Pizza or burgers. Need I say more?
What is your favorite sport to watch other than wrestling?
MMA. All levels too, both high level and entry level.
Did you play any other sports growing up?
Yeah, I played baseball, soccer, and swimming. I hung them all up by eight grade though.
What is your favorite place that you’ve travelled to?
Probably either Mallorca, Spain or Milan, Italy. Both are awesome places!
What do you normally do to pass time when you travel?
I usually either read, watch documentaries, or sleep.
What are some of your hobbies off of the mat?
I like to watch documentaries, grill, go to the pool, throw the football, and go to concerts.
What was your major in college?
Parks recreation and tourism management.
How and why did you end up at NC State?
I transferred to North Carolina State University after Coach Pat got hired as their new head coach. I rolled the dice and decided to move south.
Why have you chosen to stick around Raleigh since finishing your college career?
I have a great support system with great coaches and donors. I also enjoy the area a lot. There’s so many things to do here.
How did you get involved in wrestling?
My neighbors wrestled and they got me started in it.
How has wrestling impacted your life?
Wow. It’s changed everything. From the things I’ve seen and done to the places I’ve been and the people I’ve met. I could have never imagined this life 10 or so years ago. Not sure what I would be doing if I wasn’t doing this.
What kind of advice would you give a younger wrestler?
Keep going. There are always things that are difficult when it comes to getting to the top of any sport or skill. Stick with it and find things that fulfill you from wrestling.
What motivates you during training?
Maximizing my potential with my God given skills.
Is there one moment in your career that sticks out as your favorite?
Winning my NCAA championships, team championships, and World medals.
The Gwiazdowski file
Birthday: Dec. 30, 1992
Hometown: Delanson, N.Y.
High school: Duanesburg HS
College: North Carolina State University (2012-2016), Binghamton University (2011-2012)
Residence: Raleigh, N.C.
Club: TMWC/Wolkfack WC
Twitter: @ngwizzz
Instagram: @ngwizzz
• Two-time World bronze medalist (2017, 2018)
• U.S. Open champion (2017)
• Two-time NCAA champion (2014, 2015)
• Four time NCAA All-American (2013, 2014, 2015, 2016)
• Pan American gold medalist (2018)
• University Nationals champion (2016)
• Two-time New York state champion (2010, 2011)
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