By Aaron Chimenti
Kent State Sports Information
Kent State senior Alex Camargo will soon be competing for a conference tournament championship and a berth in the NCAA Division I Championships as many wrestlers do during the final stretch of the season. But Camargo also has an opportunity to do what most wrestlers never come close to”¦ become the winningest wrestler in their school’s history.
Since 1927, Kent State has seen its fair share of outstanding wrestlers, including 17 All-Americans. With just two more victories this season, Camargo will be able to boast more career wins than any of them. Only Nick Nemeth (1998-03) has more victories (121) than Camargo (120).
“The record was never a goal of mine,” said Camargo. “If it happens”¦ it happens. My goal is to wrestle my best and have no regrets. Finishing the season off strong is my main focus.”
A career record isn’t the only the milestone within reach for the 184-pound standout.
“There hasn’t been an All-American here since 1986 and that’s what I really want,” said Camargo. “The wins just kind of happened. I’ve been lucky to stay pretty healthy during my career. Right now I don’t want to concentrate on it but after it’s all over I’ll look back on it differently.”
After winning the Oklahoma Gold Showcase for the second straight season, Camargo started out the year 7-0. Throughout the season Camargo has defeated four nationally ranked opponents. Now 29-3, he is currently ranked 11th by Wrestling International Magazine and is riding an eight-match winning streak entering the Mid-American Conference Tournament Mar. 3-4 at Northern Illinois.
An outstanding performer both on and off the mat, Camargo also recently received the Joe Begala Award. Named after the legendary coach, the award is presented annually to a KSU wrestler on the basis of academic achievement, wrestling skill and merit.
In 2005, Camargo led the Golden Flashes in victories (30) and was the team’s lone representative at the NCAA Championships, where he went 1-2 after gaining a wild card bid.
“Last year I had a successful season but I dropped off at the end. I didn’t know how to deal with the long season and going to nationals. But I turned it into a learning experience. You’ve got to keep improving. If you don’t want to improve, you become complacent.”
As a fifth-year senior, Camargo prefers to lead by example, especially when it comes to takedowns.
“I am an offensive wrestler on my feet. I like to use my quickness and work towards an outside single or double-leg. If it’s my choice entering the third period in a close match, I’m going on my feet because I’m confident I can take my opponent down.”
In his five seasons at Kent State, Camargo has been a part of successful teams in his first two season and rebuilding teams in his next two seasons. But the 2005-06 KSU squad has gained recognition like never before in his career, earning a Top 25 ranking in the final NWCA Coaches Poll. He credits his current team’s success to adjusting to the style of third-year head coach Jim Andrassy.
“We finally got used to his style of coaching. The first couple seasons were different for us. But we finally disciplined ourselves. We know what to expect now. My first two years here were nowhere near as demanding as it is now. We now know that our hard work pays off.”
Andrassy, an assistant coach at KSU before taking the head job in 2003, was the first person Camargo met when it came time to look at colleges. A two-sport star in high school, Camargo opted for wrestling over football with his final candidates being Kent State and arch-rival Ohio University.
“I chose Kent State because I saw an opportunity here where I could redshirt and then start the next season. It was close to home and I thought the school was a good fit for me. I also played football in high school but more Division I schools were looking at me for wrestling. I took second at states in high school and I think that helped me out because it left me kind of hungry.”
Camargo’s wrestling career began in second grade with a pair of tennis shoes and almost ended as quickly as it started.
“My father wouldn’t buy me wrestling shoes until he knew I was going to stick with it.
My first tournament didn’t go well. I lost twice and was ready to quit but I took my older brother’s advice and gave it one more shot.”
Big brother’s advice apparently paid off. He took first place in just his second tournament ever, earned himself a pair of wrestling shoes and the rest has been sweet history.
“The feeling you get after that win is what keeps you going.”
A technology major at KSU, Camargo would like to work in information technology management but hasn’t ruled out coaching as part of his future.
“I’ve been involved with wrestling for so long, I don’t know what it will be like without it. If a coaching opportunity comes along”¦I may have to get back into it.”
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