We are just three days removed from the NCAA Championships and I wanted to send a note while things are still fresh from the tournament. With each new season I realize more and more that a Division I wrestling season is unequivocally the toughest thing for an individual to endure in athletics. The level of perseverance required to have success is unmatched, and to watch our athletes thrive through the season, while also achieving massive success in the classroom at the best academic institution in the world is awe inspiring. To say I am proud is an understatement.
I am so grateful I was able to experience this season with this group of young men. It’s funny to think that a little over 7 months ago I had no idea I would even be with this team, but here I am, loving it all.
While on the topic of gratitude I wanted to thank the “team around the team” for your unwavering support throughout this season. If you are an administrator, donor, fan, parent, etc, who supported our team, your dedication and enthusiasm have been instrumental in our success, and we are deeply grateful for your continued commitment to Stanford Wrestling and want you by our side as we continue to rise up the ranks of the NCAA.
The season closed at the NCAA tournament with the outstanding achievements of our All-Americans, Daniel Cardenas and Hunter Garvin, who secured 4th and 6th place, respectively. Daniel continues to be “the brand” of how we want Stanford wrestlers to compete-with massive amounts of “heart” from the first whistle to the last. Hunter picked a great time to peak, beating the odds of being the 20th seed by placing 6th. I don’t think anyone will be underestimating him again.
Furthermore, each of our qualifiers to nationals – Daniel Cardenas, Hunter Garvin, Nick Stemmet, Jaden Abas, and Nico Provo – played a crucial role in earning points that enabled Stanford to finish 16th as a team, tying as the 3rd best in program history alongside the 2016 team. Additionally, Hunter Garvin has become just the 5th freshman All-American in program history, joining esteemed company alongside Joey McKenna, Real Woods, Shane Griffith, and Jaden Abas.
Although they were not wearing a Stanford singlet, graduates Shane Griffith and Real Woods earned All-American honors (again) placing 3rd and 4th respectively. An interesting fun fact sent to me by former wrestler and coach, Ray Blake, was that if Stanford had Real and Shane’s points, as well as recent graduate Tyler Eischens, we would have been in 4th place at one point in the tournament.
These remarkable accomplishments would not have been possible without the dedication and support of those who have worked tirelessly to Keep Stanford Wrestling thriving. Not too long ago there was a dark hour for the program, but my hope is we are just beginning to see the bright light and the promise of the future of the Stanford Wrestling program. Your efforts have not gone unnoticed, and we extend our deepest gratitude to each and every one of you.
The energy and enthusiasm displayed during the recent weekend were truly inspiring, and we would like to thank everyone who joined us for the jam-packed Stanford Wrestling social after the finals. It was wonderful connecting with alumni and fans of the program.
As we look ahead to the Stanford Banquet and CA-RTC golf outing weekend on May 3rd and 4th, we invite you to join us in celebrating the achievements of our athletes and reaffirming our commitment to the future of Stanford Wrestling. Your participation would mean a great deal to us, and we look forward to sharing in the festivities with you.
Once again, thank you for your unwavering support this season. Your passion and dedication are the driving force behind our success, and I’m honored to be a Stanford Wrestling family.
Best,
Coach Ayres
PS- On Friday of NCAA’s I took a walk through the Fan Fest in Kansas City and there was a banner that had some chronological big events that occurred at the NCAA tournament. One thing that I noticed is that only one private school has ever won the NCAA championships, Cornell College, IA, in 1945. It occurred to me that it would be pretty darn exciting if we got that done here.
