Being a Division 1 All-American athlete for all four years of a collegiate wrestling career might be enough for some athletes, but not for Nahshon Garrett. The Cornell senior had his sights set on a national championship, and he would do what it took to get there.

My buddy Mark Iacovelli is—along with Dave Auble—my go-to guy for insight into the world of wrestling. Mark was a three-time state champ at Ithaca High, wrestled Division 1, and recalls the sport's darker days. Upon returning from the NCAA tournament at Madison Square Garden—he attends every year—Mark said, "Nahshon was in the running every year, and he was determined to win this year. He went up a weight class, got a lot stronger, and he dominated."