Apple Valley senior Seth Gross concluded his high school wrestling career with three consecutive Class 3A individual championships, and in three different weight classes.
Gross won the 120-pound title in 2012, 132 last year and 138 this season. He concluded his career with a record of 153-15, finishing 48-2 this season.
Here is a closer look at Gross:
Q: The best movie I've seen in the last year?
A: "Rocky IV." It'll always be one of my favorites.
Q: Three words my friends or teammates might use to describe me?
A: Hardworking, caring, goofy.
Q: What are your three favorite apps?
A: Twitter, Instagram and the Bible app.
Q: Who do you like to follow the most on Twitter, and why?
A: People who are involved with wrestling, because I get a lot of good advice and also give a lot of kids advice.
Q: How did you get started in wrestling?
A: My dad got me involved with it when I was little, and I really fell in love with the sport.
Q: At my first varsity practice, I felt …
A: … a little nervous because I was wrestling with kids I've always looked up to. I also felt determined to get to be the best I can.
Q: What is your favorite meal before a match?
A: Bagel sandwich with ham and cheese.
Q: To get focused for a match, I …
A: … get a good warm-up in and then sit down and relax before it's time for me to wrestle.
Q: I know I have an edge on an opponent when …
A: … I go out there no matter who I'm wrestling thinking I'm going to win. If you're not thinking that, you're probably not going to win.
Q: What is your most memorable moment as a high school athlete?
A: Praying with my teammates before state was one of the most memorable moments for me.
Q: What are you going to work this summer?
A: I'm going out to Colorado to train at the Olympic Training Center. I will also wrestle in a lot of freestyle tournaments.
Q: What are your future goals?
A: To make the world team and wrestle across seas.
Q: How do you balance school and sports during the year?
A: It's tough to do, especially around state. It gets to be stressful, but it's just something you have to do if you want to be successful.
Q: If you could change one thing about high school sports, what would it be?
A: That Apple Valley would have more fans for wrestling.
Q: When you have time off during vacation, what do you like to do?
A: Fishing is my favorite thing to do on vacation.
Q: Who is your favorite college or pro sports team and why?
A: The Iowa Hawkeyes because that's where I am going to college.
Q: In 10 years, I hope I'm …
A: … an Olympic champion.
Q: What is the best sports advice you ever received?
A: Never give up. God has a plan for you, win or lose.
RON HAGGSTROM
