Joe HeskettDrive north on Route 9W on some September morning and you'll climb high along the eastern slope of Bear Mountain. The mountain and other hills are blanketed in the bronze and auburn tones of turning leaves. Glance to the right and you'll find that the mountain pinches the road narrowly along the winding Hudson, and that its waters warmly reflect the rising sun. Such is the scene that greets you before the gates of the United States Military Academy. Follow Thayer Road into the heart of Army's campus, and then take a walk on its granite sidewalks.
Tradition.
Joe Heskett (Photo/GoArmySports.com)If you're still walking, you'll find the Arvin Cadet Physical Development Center, site of the campus fitness center and the wrestling facilities for the Black Knights. This week, head wrestling coach Joe Heskett has invited three NCAA All-Americans to make the scenic trip every day as coaches.
Announced as the head coach less than a year ago himself, Heskett welcomes Dan Mitcheff, Kyle Ruschell, and Terry Madden to help build a culture of high wrestling expectation and toughness.
The Academy coaching staff has had significant turnover over the last decade, and Joe is excited to recruit a staff he expects to bring consistency for the next three to five years. "I'm really pumped up to establish some continuity that we've lacked in the past," explained Heskett. "But also, these guys are young and West Point is an excellent environment to grow. We have the opportunity to build something more or less from the ground up, and that's a valuable experience for a young coach to gain."
Hiring three assistants would be a critical moment for any team administrator. In setting the foundation of the program, Heskett sought three traits for his hirees. "Obviously, coming to West Point, character is key. I was looking for guys who were excited not just about wrestling in the room every day, but in mentoring and developing young men."
The youth of each candidate also helped earn him a spot on Heskett's short list. "They have the energy to train every day and really push our guys. That's something I don't think we've had in a while at Army. Having three young bucks come in to grind every days is really going to help our guys feel that next level."
Finally, he sought to follow the habit West Point has for selecting all of its students: finding unique, driven individuals. "Each of them has such a unique story; where they've come from, how they have impacted the sport in their own ways."
Mitcheff, an All-American for Kent State in 2010, went overlooked by most Division I programs as a high school wrestler. His tenacity and work ethic, however, have helped the Golden Flashes rise from irrelevance to a top-20 program.
"I've heard nothing but outstanding things about his character and genuine nature. He wrestled at Kent State, where there had been a drought for a couple of decades when they didn't have an All-American, but he was a part of turning that around," said Heskett of Mitcheff's experience elevating a program.
Dan is remorseful at leaving Kent just as they've reached their highest high, but relishes the opening before him. "It was little tough leaving because I've been a part of the success and I'd like to see this team continue to grow, but I think it's a good opportunity to be over there at Army. I admire what the cadets are doing up there, serving our country. I just think it was a good chance to move on," explained Mitcheff.
"On top of [his experience turning a program around], I've watched him compete and beat elite wrestlers like Reece Humphrey, Brandon Precin and Obe Blanc. He's a little guy and I was in the market for a little guy coach. I don't think I could have landed a better one," added Heskett.
Ruschell, who twice earned All-America status for Barry Davis at Wisconsin, glowed on Heskett's radar by achieving excellence out of the state of Kentucky.
"Kentucky's not the most powerful wrestling state, but yet here comes a young man that qualified for nationals all four years and became a two-time All-American. I remember watching him wrestle Lance Palmer. Lance was winning 4-1, but Kyle came back to win 5-4 for third place at NCAA's. Now in his first year on the freestyle scene he's right there competing to win the U.S. Open. He's a fighter," claimed Joe.
Kyle has trained in south and the midwest, and looks forward to living in a new region of the country. "I absolutely loved the campus. I think it's a cool atmosphere with the cadets in structure and uniform. I think it's going to be a really great experience," he expressed.
The Academy draws its student population from all 50 states and many countries. "Kyle represents so much of what West Point is. You don't have to have all the tools at the onset, but hard work pays off," the head coach continued.
The third coach is Empire State native Terry Madden, who placed third in the New York state tournament as a high school senior. He went on to wrestle at Hunter College, where he was a two-time DIII All-American and the 2007 NCAA Champion. Since then, he has clawed his way up the Senior freestyle ladder, reaching as high as fifth in the 74 kg rankings.
"He didn't even wrestle DI, but then immediately on the freestyle scene he's competing with some of the best guys in the country. I like that. I like that he's fighting day-in and day-out as a DIII national champ and beats some of the best guys in the country from DI," raved Joe.
In addition to his fighting spirit, Madden brings a love for West Point and a familiarity with New York wrestling to the table. "When I was a kid I used to go to the club there, and that was the college I went to watch compete as a little kid," said Terry.
While Heskett gains a lot of strong talent to work with his collegians, he also takes a greater responsibility upon himself to help three freestylers trying to make the 2012 Olympic team. "We're going to have a solid training system for them. I've been fortunate enough to see a high level of freestyle competition and I feel confident in my abilities to coach. A lot like Lou Rosselli trained me when I started at Ohio State. However, we're going to have to be flexible and masters of time management."
Dan, Kyle and Terry are optimistic about their new training environment. "To be coached by someone of [Joe's] caliber, I think my level of wrestling will increase a lot. I feel like he'll correct a lot of problems I have," claimed Madden. "At Hofstra, I really didn't have a freestyle coach."
Ultimately, growing pains are certain to be part of a package of three young coaches who must split their time between teaching and learning. However, Coach Heskett is elated at the step the program is taking in his second year as mentor. "Year one was all about the culture; we had to lay out who we are. Year two is a little more transitional, getting the coaching staff into place."
In years three, four and five, he hopes to add wrestling excellence to the profound tradition at West Point. "As we move forward, every year needs to be incremental progress to becoming a nationally prominent wrestling program. This can happen. We have the resources, we have the facilities, and we have the support of the administration. Not all institutions have that. We do."
"Not only is it an elite academic institution, but you can become a leader of men. And on top of that, you can win big time wrestling matches. Yes, yes you can."
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