Nebraska wrestling coach Mark Manning recently shared a great example.
Former Husker wrestling great Jordan Burroughs, the 2012 Olympic gold medalist, tore up his knee early in the 2009-10 college season. During his recovery, he approached Manning, telling the coach he wanted to take his career to a higher level.
Manning suggested that Burroughs jump up a weight class to 165 pounds, which would position him well for international competition at 163 pounds/74 kilograms. Problem was, the returning NCAA champion, Andrew Howe of Wisconsin, wrestled at 165.
"I said, 'Hey, Jordan, we're not worried about Andrew Howe, we're worried about this Russian, Denis Tsargush, the 2009-10 world champion,'" Manning said. "I said, 'That's the guy you have to beat, Jordan. Next year, you want to be not only a national champ, but a world champ.'"
Think about what that conversation must have done for Burroughs' confidence and overall outlook.
He went on to become only the fourth wrestler ever to win NCAA and world championships in the same year.
He'll wrestle in the USA Wrestling World Team Trials on Saturday at the Devaney Sports Center.
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