The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Hawken heavyweight signs with Cleveland State
The novel coronavirus pandemic prevented Hawken senior heavyweight Will Lindsey from finishing his high school wrestling career at the state tournament. A 285-pound qualifier in Division III, Lindsey hoped to improve on his showing in Columbus as a junior before wrestling’s final event was ultimately canceled.
Lindsey’s wrestling days aren’t over, though. The 285-pound champion of the Garfield Heights District signed to wrestle at Cleveland State.
“It was a really cool opportunity to wrestle D-I, and it was an extremely affordable school,” Lindsey said.
Lindsey went 40-2 as a senior at Hawken and finished his high school career with 146 wins alongside a handful of school records.
As a junior, he won his championship preliminary match at the D-III state tournament before he fell in a quarterfinal then was eliminated in secondround consolation bout.
Lindsey was eager for this year’s state tournament after a strong showing at Garfield Heights.
“I think I just let my nerves get a hold of me then,” Lindsey said. “I didn’t do too hot down there last year, so I was looking forward to this year because I was doing very good at districts and looking like a pretty good shot at states, so it’s pretty disappointing.”
Lindsey chose Cleveland State over Baldwin Wallace. He also considered pursuing football at Ohio Northern, Rose-Hulman and Case Western Reserve.
Staying close to home, Lindsey plans to study mechanical engineering then pursue an environmental graduate program. His expectations on the mat are also high.
“I’m going to take a redshirt year my freshman year,” Lindsey said. “I hope to at least be a national qualifier, maybe not my freshman year but sophomore, junior year I want to at least be a national qualifier.”
Lindsey said he feels prepared for the college level from the high level of responsibility required from a student-athlete at Hawken.
Lindsey’s wrestling ability is seemingly rivaled only by the distinct mustache he sports on the mat. He plans to sport a full beard when he wrestles for the Vikings.
“Year-round, I normally have a beard, but during wrestling season I can’t keep that,” Lindsey said. “But, at the collegiate level you are allowed to have a beard, so I’ll be having a beard as long as the coaches are cool with that.”