With an unorthodox style of wrestling, Mark Meyer of Oklahoma City University captured the 165-pound title in the Briar Cliff Invitational.
“It was a really strange experience for me,” said Meyer. “I hadn’t wrestled that well in college yet, so I was going in to wrestle at 165 unseeded and against guys that I had never wrestled.”
Previously Meyer, a freshman from Midwest City, Okla., had been wrestling at 157 until he was moved up to 165 because his untraditional style of wrestling.
“I do better at 165 even though I am not as strong as the other guys in the weight class,” Meyer said. “With my style of wrestling I am able to use my moves against the guys at 165 because I am quicker.”
Meyer has been wrestling since he was eight years old and since then has been known for using his own natural moves and skills that give him an infinite advantage with his opponents.
“My favorite move is the front headlock choke,” said Meyer. “People try to stay away from that when I wrestle them because I can usually beat my opponents with it.”
At 6-foot-3, Meyer is taller than the average wrestler.
“I don’t really consider myself very athletic,” Meyer said. “I am just tall and lanky, which is different than most wrestlers, and I am definitely not as strong as other wrestlers. My height allows me to throw people though, which is what I was known for in high school.”
He has qualified to wrestle in the NAIA Championships, which will be held at Oklahoma City University on March 5-7.
“I feel like there will be huge weight off my shoulders not having to travel to nationals,” said Meyer. “Since they are at OCU, nationals will be as laid back as nationals can be. All of our family and friends will be able to watch us and give us that support that we might not have had if we had to travel for nationals.”
Meyer is currently ranked first at 165 in the NAIA Central Region.
“I am really stoked to have qualified for nationals,” Meyer said. “My ultimate goal for the season is to be named all-American. It will be a great season if I can achieve that because I am working towards being the first OCU wrestler to become a four-time all-American.”
