OMAHA (KMTV) — Nic Stoltenberg is going from Skyhawk to Badger. The Skutt senior wrestler made his first tweet ever over the weekend announcing his commitment to Wisconsin.
"They were definitely recruiting me the hardest," said Stoltenberg. "I looked into their school a lot. I did a few virtual tours and just a lot of research, watched some videos. It seems like a great place to live and grow as a person."
After not receiving much recruiting attention the past few years, interest in Stoltenberg picked up after the 152 pounder won his his 3rd state title in February. Stoltenberg ended up choosing the Badgers over Arizona State & Purdue.
"They're all great schools, academically and athletically," Stoltenberg said. "But Wisconsin just seems like the best choice for me."
"He's got a lot of belief in himself and self confidence and that's huge when you get to a Division I program," said Skutt head coach Chas DeVetter. "Because everyone there is a three time and four time state champion. Everyday is just tough. So I think just having that confidence that he does and not being scared to go wrestle somebody just because you watched them on TV or whatever is going to be a huge asset for him."
Stoltenberg won over 140 matches in his four years at Skutt with only 23 losses & 13 of those defeats came his freshman year.
"I put my heart on the mat & it usually takes me far," said Stoltenberg. "I've always had high expectations for myself. So when I first started here I was automatically thinking four state titles. And of course that didn't happen but three is the next best thing."
"I thought he had a very strong potential future," DeVetter said. "You never know what's going to happen three years down the road but yeah we definitely believed he could be something really special."
After soaring with Skyhawks the last four years, Stoltenberg hopes to one day make the sky his permanent office.
"I think I'm going to try to get my pilot license and become a pilot," Stoltenberg said. "I went on a flying lesson for the first time three or four weeks ago and it was super exciting."
"Whatever he sets his mind to he can do," said DeVetter. "I think he likes excitement and adrenaline. That doesn't surprise me he wants to be a pilot."
In the meantime, Stoltenberg will continue continue his wrestling career at a program in a premiere conference while being an example to younger Skutt wrestlers back in Omaha.
"You've got to work hard everyday to reach your goals and dreams will come true," Stoltenberg said.
