#FreestyleFriday: Q&A with National Team member and Bill Farrell International champion Alex Dieringer

Four-time National Team member Alex Dieringer made his debut at 86 kg at the Bill Farrell International last weekend in New York City, winning gold.

It wasn’t much of a surprise as over the past few years, Dieringer has established himself as perhaps the second-best guy in the World at 79 kg behind USA teammate and two-time World champion Kyle Dake.

Dieringer, a three-time NCAA champion for Oklahoma State, has made the U.S. Senior National Team at 74 kg and 79 kg. Because 79 kg is not an Olympic weight, Dieringer has elected to go up to 86 kg for 2020.

With his Bill Farrell performance, Dieringer qualified for the 2020 Olympic Trials at Penn State on April 4-5. 

USA Wrestling talked with Dieringer prior to the Bill Farrell International. Below is a Q&A:

Q: The last time we saw you was Final X against Kyle Dake. What were some takeaways from that event?
A: The biggest thing from that series and wrestling Kyle Dake is that I just have to keep evolving. He came with a different game plan and I didn’t really adjust to it. I just have to keep progressing as a wrestler. The focus now is to get big and get ready for 86 kg.

Q: Why did you decide to go up to 86 kg instead of going down to 74 kg?
A: I cut a lot of weight in college, and it just wasn’t good for my body. I don’t want to do that again. 163 pounds is pulling a lot of weight for me. I usually walk around at 190 pounds when I’m not lifting. I think for the sake of my body in the future, it’s just better to get big, stay healthy and worry about getting better rather than cutting weight.

Q: How does going up a weight class affect or change your training?
A: I’ve been doing a lot more lifting. When I was at 79 kg, I wasn’t lifting as much. I was lifting maybe once or twice a week. Now I’m lifting four times a week, so it’s a little different. It definitely takes a toll on your body a little more. You’ve got to take care of yourself and do the right things to recover. It’s definitely an adjustment. I’m getting used to it and I’m getting strong. I've always used my strength to help me excel on the mat, and I think now that I’m getting stronger, it’s just going to make me that much more powerful in my wrestling.

Q: Do you see 86 kg as a weight class for you beyond 2020?
A: I’ve thought about that. I think I’m capable of that. In order to do it, I just have to keep getting bigger and keep getting stronger. I’m about 195 pounds right now, and if I want to stay at 86 kg, I want to be walking around at least 200 pounds. As of right now, I’m just focusing on 86 kg for 2020, and then I’ll figure the rest out after.

Q: 86 kg will likely be a stacked weight class depending on where guys like Bo Nickal and J’den Cox end up. Where do you see yourself among the pack?
A: I see myself on top. I’ve always had confidence in myself and I know I can do it. There are guys like David Taylor, J’den Cox and Bo Nickal who are all World champs and other really good opponents like Pat Downey and Myles Martin. The list goes on. It’s going to be tough even if I was at 74 kg with guys like Jordan Burroughs and Kyle Dake there. No matter the weight class, USA is really tough right now. I’m up for the challenge. I’m excited for it.

Q: Who at 86 kg are you most excited to wrestle?
A: I want to wrestle David Taylor. He’s fun to wrestle. I’ve gone with him before in practice. He goes out and attacks, and I like wrestling someone like that. I think that would be a really fun match.

Q: We’ve seen a few guys move around and change RTCs. Why is it important to you to be at Oklahoma State?
A: Oklahoma State is the place to be. They’ve got the culture, the history, the legends. They’ve got everything here. Stillwater feels like home to me, and I love it here. I’m all about loyalty. At Oklahoma State, we always say “loyal and true.” They’ve been good to me, and I’ve done a lot of good things here. I love this place.

Q: Last one, what does your training schedule look like as you prepare for the Olympic Trials?
A: We’ve got a National Team camp in December and then another one at the end of January in Colorado Springs. Besides that, I’ll be training in Stillwater. I’m hoping to bring in some other guys from around the country to train with for a week at a time or something like that.