Q&A with Louis Cerchio: The Journey from High School Wrestler to Cornell Athlete

Q: Can you tell us a little about your background? Where did you grow up, and what sports did you play before wrestling became your main focus?

Louis: Sure! I'm from Scotch Plains, New Jersey, which is in Central Jersey. I grew up playing soccer for about eight years before I decided to switch to wrestling. I also played football my freshman year of high school just to make some friends before school started. We weren't sure if wrestling was going to happen that year, so I decided to give football a try. But after that, I really just focused on wrestling for the rest of my high school career.

Q: Transitioning from a public school to Delbarton must have been a big change. How did you handle that shift, especially with making new friends and adjusting to a new environment?

Louis: Yeah, it was tough at first. I was leaving my old public school friends behind, and it was a new atmosphere for me. But Delbarton does a great job of welcoming everyone, and I quickly realized that everyone else was going through the same thing. That motivated me to step out of my comfort zone and make new friends, and it turned out to be a really good experience.

Q: What was one of the biggest struggles you faced during your time in high school, and how did you overcome it?

Louis: One of the toughest moments for me came in my senior year. I won the state championship in my junior year, but in my senior year, I bumped up a weight class and ended up placing second. It was hard mentally to accept—how could I win as a younger wrestler and then lose when I was the oldest? But once I accepted that everything happens for a reason, I was able to push through. I used that experience to motivate myself and remind myself that I’ve worked hard and that setbacks are part of the journey.

Q: You mentioned "everything happens for a reason." Is that something you’ve always believed, or did you develop that mindset after the disappointment in your senior year?

Louis: That’s something I developed over time. When things don’t go your way, it’s easy to get discouraged, especially when you’ve worked hard for something. But I learned to trust the process and trust that everything will work out as it’s supposed to. It’s become a principle that helps me get through tough times and keep moving forward.

Q: How much has your faith played a role in overcoming challenges and staying motivated?

Louis: My faith definitely became stronger in high school. Delbarton being a Catholic school, I was exposed to more religious practices, and that helped me develop a stronger connection to my faith. I came to rely on my belief that God has a plan for me, which helped me stay grounded, especially when things didn’t always go my way.

Q: It sounds like your faith and family are big sources of support for you. How have your parents motivated you throughout your journey?

Louis: My parents have been a huge part of my success. They’ve sacrificed so much—driving me to practices, tournaments, matches, and everything in between. Knowing that they’ve given so much for me to pursue this, I want to make them proud and give it my all every time I step on the mat. They’ve always been there for me, and I wouldn’t be where I am without their support.

Q: Now that you’re at Cornell, balancing academics and athletics can be challenging. How do you manage your time and stay on top of both?

Louis: Time management is key for me. I make lists, either on a Google doc or just on a piece of paper, to break down the little tasks I need to do every day. I find that accomplishing even small things, like taking out the trash or doing a quick task around the house, helps keep me motivated. Then, I can devote time to studying or wrestling. Staying productive with small tasks helps me keep a routine, which makes managing both my academic and athletic commitments a little easier.

Q: Wrestling is such a mentally demanding sport. Have you ever faced negative feedback or criticism from teammates, coaches, or even on social media? How do you handle that?

Louis: Yeah, I’ve definitely faced some criticism, especially on social media. People like to trash talk and say things, but at the end of the day, I’m the one going out there and competing. I remind myself that I’m the one putting in the work, and they’re just watching from the sidelines. It’s important to stay focused on your own journey and not let negative comments get into your head.

Q: If you could go back and give advice to your younger self, maybe when you were just starting high school or even when you were playing soccer, what would you tell him?

Louis: I’d tell myself not to stress out about the little things and to trust that everything will work out in the end. I remember my freshman year being really tough—I struggled academically and wasn’t doing great in wrestling. But looking back, I know everything fell into place when I stayed calm and worked hard. I’d tell myself to stay focused and not get too caught up in the setbacks.

Q: Finally, what advice would you give to younger athletes who might be struggling with their sport or finding their path in life?

Louis: My advice would be to keep working hard and trust the process. Don’t stress about the little things. Sometimes things won’t go your way, but that doesn’t mean it’s the end. Trust in your journey, lean on your support system, and know that things will work out. Stay patient and keep grinding, and most importantly, don’t forget to enjoy the process.

Louis Cerchio’s journey from a multi-sport athlete in high school to a wrestler at Cornell University highlights the importance of resilience, faith, and a strong support system. Whether dealing with setbacks, staying motivated through the challenges of balancing school and sports, or learning to manage the pressure of competition, Louis’ story offers valuable insights into overcoming obstacles and staying true to oneself. For young athletes struggling with their own challenges, Louis’ advice is simple but powerful: trust the process, work hard, and stay grounded.