While the OSU coaches are unable to comment on a verbal commitment, Demas was happy to discuss his decision and glad that the recruiting process has come to a close.
Josh Demas (Photo/BuckeyeWrestling.com)Demas chose Ohio State from a list of five schools that included Minnesota, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Virginia Tech.
“Every school had pluses and minuses. They were all great schools with unique opportunities. I could have seen myself wrestling for every school at one point or another while I was being recruited. My dad was very supportive and helped me out a lot.”
When asked what pushed the Buckeyes to the top of the list Demas felt that after looking around he most comfortable at the school closest to home.
“Ohio State is a great school with a great wrestling program. The coaches, the fans; it means something to be a Buckeye. I decided that I wanted to stay close to home and OSU is just down the road. I like the idea that my friends and family will be able to watch me wrestle in Columbus.”
Demas took official visits to Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Virginia Tech. He was on campus during the summer at Minnesota and Ohio State.
“Feeling comfortable with coaches was a large part of the decision. At OSU, I could see a little bit of myself in every one of the coaches. With Joe Heskett, Lou Rosselli, J Jaggers, and Tom Ryan; I know they are going to help me become the best I can be.”
Beyond the wrestling program and proximity to home, Demas was quick to point out that he chose Ohio State for the education and what he could do with his degree.
“Wrestling is very important but I want to get a quality education too. Ohio State has a great business program and that is what I am going to study in school.”
With a potential freestyle career on the horizon while in college and after graduation the presence of the Ohio Regional Training Center also factored into his decision.
“Having something like the Ohio RTC training on campus was huge. I am probably a better freestyle wrestler than a folkstyle wrestler right now so that was definitely something that was on my mind. Having coaches like Rosselli and Heskett; they can help my college wrestling and my freestyle career.”
While dreams of NCAA titles and Olympic Gold are in his mind Demas is currently focused on his senior year at Westerville North High School. With a career record of 119-12; he is a three-time state placewinner for the Warriors. As a freshman he finished second at 130, he was third as a sophomore at 145, and as a junior he won his first state title at 152; as a senior the goal is to end his career with another title.
After moving up a couple of weights every year in high school I asked what weight he was going this season and where he saw himself in college.
“Right now I am not sure what weight I am going to wrestle this year. I weigh around 165 right now but it moves around a lot so I could wrestle a couple of different weights. In college I think I’ll be a 174 to start and could end up at 184 before I am done.”
As far as his wrestling goals, Demas was much more certain.
“I want to win, I want to work hard, and I want to get better every day. This year I want to win my second individual state title, I want my team to have a lot of success, and I want to win (NHSCA) Senior Nationals.”
With his verbal commitment Demas became the second member of the Buckeyes’ 2010 recruiting class joining Monroeville senior Logan Stieber. Both Demas and Stieber are expected to submit their NLI during the early signing period in November.
InterMat was granted permission to republish this article from BuckeyeWrestling.com.
http://www.buckeyewrestling.com/?q=node/25822
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