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Tennyson to wrestle for Southern Oregon
June 29th 1:21 pm | Van Williams
Knowing how his college choice would impact his wrestling career, Dillingham High School's Reed Tennyson didn't rush his decision.
Instead he calculated all the factors with the same methodical strategy he takes to the mat.
The all-state senior and former Class 1-2-3A state champion talked with several coaches, most notably Dillingham's own John Lee Johnson. He researched different schools online. He listened to what his mom and dad had to say.
In the end, though, the 18-year-old star went with his gut and signed with Southern Oregon University, a NAIA school in the border town of Ashland. He chose the Raiders over a handful of other schools, including Boise State University in Idaho and Ausburg College in Minnesota.
"I got this vibe from the coaches that they would take care of me, you know, because it's a smaller school," Tennyson said. "If I went to a bigger school they're going to be a lot more kids on the team and I wouldn't be taken care of in the same way."
There's no doubt he took care of the Wolverines during his star-studded career.
He was a varsity basketball player and a region-winning cross-country runner, but his legacy was in wrestling.
As a sophomore he placed second at 140 pounds as Dillingham placed third as a team.
As a junior he won the 145 weight class as Dillingham captured the state title.
As a senior he was second at 152 as Dillingham finished third as a team.
He was also team captain, arguably his most meaningful achievement.
A quiet, no-nonsense leader known for his work ethic, Tennyson was the perfect role model for younger wrestlers looking to follow in his footsteps.
"Eventually I have plans to come back and help out with coaching and help build character that was instilled I me and made me who I am today," Tennyson said.
He opted for Southern Oregon over more attractive opportunities at notable wrestling schools because it measured up athletically, academically and socially.
"I know the area a little bit," he said. "It just seemed like I fit in better on the team."
He would have liked the prestige that goes along with being a NCAA Division I wrestler at Boise State, however he has seen Alaskans with impeccable high school resumes - better than his; three-time and four-time state champs - go to major universities and struggle to make the team.
"That was kind of what I was afraid of, if I went to Boise, is not cracking the lineup and sitting the bench for four years," Tennyson said.
He wants to wrestle at a division where he could be competitive and maybe one day challenge for a national championship. The NAIA level seemed to be the right fit after getting input from Johnson and other Alaska coaches.
"They told me that I'd have more fun at a smaller school because I'd actually get to wrestle and not be a practice dummy and workout partner," he said.
At Southern Oregon, Tennyson will join a bunch of Alaskans on the team including Dillingham's Joe Horn.
Tennyson plans to redshirt his first season to acclimate to his new surrounds as well as gain strength and experience with an extra year of practice.
"I plan on packing on muscle and filling out to be a solid 165-pounder for them," he said.
He's probably good enough to compete for a roster spot as a freshman, but he's in no rush.
"I want to be an All-American and make everybody realize that you don't have to come from a big city or the Lower 48 to be something. You can be from the Bush and still go out there and make a name for yourself."
Van Williams can be reached at vwilliams@alaskanewspapers.com