By Mitch Bode
Baltimore Watchdog Staff Writer
Myles Martin has dreamt of being an NCAA wrestling champion for as long as he can remember.
He was hooked on the sport ever since he first stepped on a wrestling mat in Penns Grove, New Jersey, as young boy. And he continued to pursue his dream when he and his family decided it was in his best interest to attend the McDonogh School in Owings Mills, roughly two hours away from his home.
“Where I come from in New Jersey, not many people make it out,” Martin said. “Not many people have even heard of Penns Grove. I’m just grateful to make it out.”
Martin, 19, is a freshman at Ohio State University and a member of the wrestling program. In March at the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships at Madison Square Garden, Martin made OSU wrestling history by becoming the first true freshman to ever win a NCAA championship.
“It’s truly humbling to know I have made history at OSU,” Martin said. “It is a great honor and I will cherish it for the rest of my life.”
Ohio State University’s wrestling program has crowned 21 individual NCAA wrestling champions in program history.
“Winning an NCAA championship was the coolest thing in the world,” Martin said. “A lot of my family was there to see me win, so that was very special.”
Martin went on to explain that he would not be where he is today without the support of his family.
“Family is everything to me,” he said. “I credit a lot of my success to them.”
In his finals match, Martin defeated Penn States’ Bo Nickal. Martin had lost to Nickal the previous three times they faced each other.
“Being able to beat him finally on the biggest stage was amazing,” Martin said. “It was truly a blessing and I will remember it forever.”
Along with his family, Martin credits his high school, the McDonogh School, for much of his success.
“If I would have stayed in New Jersey, I would have gone to a local public school where academics are not taken seriously,” Martin said. “McDonogh helped me develop the skills to be successful both on and off the mat.”
At McDonogh, Martin excelled on the wrestling mat. During his four-year wrestling career for the Eagles, Martin was a three-time Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association Champion, three-time Maryland Independent State Champion and a two-time Prep National Champion.
“I chose McDonogh not only for athletics, but also academics,” Martin said. “Because McDonogh pushed me so hard in the classroom, I was able to get into OSU.”
As a freshman at McDonogh, Martin struggled in the classroom and also from being far from home.
“It was a big adjustment both academically and mentally,” Martin said. “Honestly, once I bought into the system I began to succeed, I really took off after my freshman year.”
Martin explained that over his time developing as a man and an athlete, he has remained humble because of where he comes from and from the support of his family.
“If you hang around successful people, success is bound to rub off on you,” Martin said. “I try to live my life by that.”