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MORRISTOWN - Gunnar Gossett could be best described as a quick learner, especially when it comes to wrestling.
Despite not competing in the sport until he was in seventh grade, the Union Local senior caught on quickly. He recently committed to Central Michigan University to continue his academic and athletic careers.
"I started wrestling in 7th grade," he said. "I went to a couple of pee wee practices, but I was actually a basketball player to start with..
"I never dreamed of becoming an NCAA D-I wrestler. I liked wrestling, but I never thought I would fall in love with it like I did," he continued. "When I placed at the state meet in eighth grade I kind of knew I could be good at this. That summer I was gone all summer wrestling and I've loved it ever since."
Gossett is a three-time all-Ohioan. He placed sixth as a freshman at 144 and was a state runnerup at 157 as a junior, falling to Lima Central Catholic's Jordan Neal, 9-7, in the waning seconds. Last season he once again placed sixth at 157, concluding a 39-3 season that ended with an injury.
"Losing in the finals made me realize that I wasn't the best yet,' he admitted. "Then last year getting hurt and finishing sixth gives me more to build on this year. Big expectations for my senior season."
Gossett is a returning OVAC Ron Mauck Tournament champion as he recorded back points in the final seconds to stun Cameron’s Eli Tedrow.
Why CMU?
"I just loved everything about it. It just felt right. All the other colleges I visited were cool, but Central Michigan felt like home," he stressed. "The coaches were cool and the guys really welcomed me in and made me feel like one of theirs and that made me want to be a part of that."
Gossett also visited Edinboro, Gardner-Webb and Cumberlands, an NAIA school in Kentucky, and talked to LIFE University in Marietta, Ga. He was supposed to visit Slippery Rock and Lake Erie College
"I wanted to get it over before the season started," he added. "I know what level I can wrestle at. I was worried how being injured last year would affect different schools still wanting me."
Gossett will enter his senior season at Union Local with a career record of 127-20, with 12 of the setbacks coming as a freshman.
"I still have the same goal - being a state champion. I treat all of the tournaments that I wrestle in the same way. I just go in with a mindset to get better and win."
Gossett is undecided on a major.
He will officially sign his Letter of Intent with the Chippewas on November 9.