InterMat recently talked to Caldwell about whether he plans to wrestle this season or redshirt, whether pursuing a football career is still a possibility, what his experience was like at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, how he wants to be remembered as a wrestler, and much more.
Darrion Caldwell (Photo/Tech-Fall.com)Caldwell: Right now my plan is to redshirt. November is two months away. I'm just getting ready for the 2010-2011 season, but also getting ready to train with my teammates and work the incoming freshmen.
Why redshirt this season?
Caldwell: For me personally, it's the best decision. I have to maintain my grades and make sure I graduate. I'll graduate in December of 2010 or in the spring of 2011.
So is football out of the equation right now?
Caldwell: Yes, right now football is out of the equation. I'm taking steps toward winning an Olympic gold medal in 2012. Hopefully I can earn a spot on the U.S. World Team at the next couple U.S. World Team Trials.
I heard that you once ran a 4.5 40 in the rain. Is that true?
Caldwell: Yes, that is true. Actually, it wasn't in the rain, but the rain had just stopped about 30 minutes ago, so it was pretty slippery.
You placed third at the 2009 U.S. World Team Trials, losing in the finals of the Challenge Tournament to Jared Frayer. You made your first U.S. National Team, but missed out making the U.S. World Team. Describe your emotions after that tournament?
Caldwell: I felt like there was a lot of work that has to be done. I still feel that way. The preparation I have been putting in since May to become a solid freestyle wrestler has helped a lot. I feel like it has also helped my folkstyle game tremendously.
Darrion Caldwell defeated 2008 Olympian Doug Schwab en route to placing third at the 2009 U.S. World Team Trials (Photo/Tech-Fall.com)Caldwell: It was good. I got to work out with the best wrestlers in America and get coached by the best coaches in America. I learned what I need to do to better my game at freestyle from the greats like John Smith, Brandon Slay, Bobby Douglas, and Zeke Jones, just to name a few. It was a tremendous opportunity. I have just been enjoying myself ... enjoying everything that has been coming my way. This is what I love to do. I can honestly say that since I have been out there, I love wrestling that much more. It has become a part of me. When I got out there, I didn't know what to expect, but it has just made me that much more passionate about the sport.
Having spent time with members of the U.S. World Team this spring and summer, what are your expectations for the U.S at the World Championships in Herning, Denmark?
Caldwell: I'm looking for a strong start and a strong finish from the team. We have great guys on the team from the bottom up. I feel like everyone on the team is capable of winning the gold medal at the tournament or at least placing. It's as simple as that. I don't feel like we have any holes.
This past college wrestling season, you lost by technical fall to Brent Metcalf at the NWCA All-Star Classic before beating him in the NCAA finals. What did that loss at the NWCA All-Star Classic to Metcalf to do to you?
Caldwell: It basically told me that I had to get mentally tougher and be more under control. I feel like everything changed after that match. I feel like I got that much better after that loss.
Darrion Caldwell defeated Iowa's Brent Metcalf, 11-6, to win the NCAA title (Photo/Tech-Fall.com.com)Caldwell: No, I definitely don't believe it was overblown. He's a tremendous wrestler. His credentials basically speak for themselves. There's not much that you can say about his record that is bad. You can look at his films and there is not much that he does wrong. He rarely loses. So I definitely don't feel like it was overblown.
Did you thrive on being the underdog in your NCAA finals match against Metcalf?
Caldwell: No, I always just feel like the best man should win. That's something that has been instilled in me since I was young. My dad always said the best man should win. And growing up, he put it in my head that I'm the best man out there. Nobody should be able to beat me.
There are a lot of very talented wrestlers returning to college wrestling this season, including U.S. World Team members Dustin Schatter and Jake Varner. Brent Metcalf and Jordan Burroughs both return. Who do you view as the best pound-for-pound college wrestler competing this season?
Caldwell: That's a very hard question to answer. There's not just one person I can say. There are a lot of great wrestlers, like you said, Schlatter, Varner, Metcalf and Burroughs. I feel like they are the most dominant wrestlers in college. That's just my opinion.
Darrion Caldwell (Photo/Tech-Fall.com)Caldwell: Indiana showed interest. I liked the coaching staff. Reggie Wright was there at the time. Nebraska showed interest. And obviously North Carolina State. Those were the main three that I was interested in ... that showed interest in me. I chose North Carolina State because I thought could excel academically and also do two sports.
When your wrestling career is over, how do you want to be remembered?
Caldwell: Basically I want to be remembered as a funny guy off the mat ... and on the mat, dangerous and entertaining. I want people to say, 'Man, that guy is good. I would pay twice the admission to see him wrestle.'
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