Alex Cisneros (Photo/John Sachs, Tech-Fall.com)
So on Friday the three-time state champion for Selma High School (Calif.) gave a verbal commitment to the Big Red.
"I was looking at the academics," said Cisneros, who also considered Lehigh, Army, and Old Dominion. "Cornell is an Ivy League school and they're the best for academics. Cornell has a great team too. I know most of the team, so it feels like family when I'm around them."
Cisneros has been a Big Red wrestling fan for 10 years. He has been a regular at Cornell's summer wrestling camps and has formed relationships with the wrestlers and coaches. One Big Red wrestler in particular that he has formed a friendship with is Kyle Dake, a two-time NCAA champion in two seasons at Cornell.
"I met Dake at camp last year and ever since then we have been talking almost every day," said Cisneros, who plans on majoring in either electrical engineering or mechanical engineering at Cornell.
Cisneros will join his Selma teammate, close friend, and training partner Nick Pena at Cornell. Pena was an InterMat Top 100 recruit from the Class of 2011. According to Cisneros, the two "have basically lived at each others' houses."
Alex Cisneros (Photo/John Sachs, Tech-Fall.com)
"It's just another chapter in our books together," said Cisneros of having the opportunity to wrestle with Pena in college. "He and I have been wrestling together for a long time. It feels great."
Cisneros has won his state titles at 103, 112, and 125 pounds. He currently tips the scales at 140 pounds. He is uncertain on what weight he will end up wrestling in college.
"Right now I really don't know where I'll end up," said Cisneros, who has compiled a high school record of 144-2. "I know that I could blow up and get a lot bigger, so it's pretty open."
With one year of high school wrestling remaining, Cisneros has a chance to become California's second four-time state champion ever. He would join Darrell Vasquez, who won four titles from 1999 to 2002 for Bakersfield High School.
"That would mean a lot, but I just have to take it one match at a time," said Cisneros. "I have to get through the first match of the season first."
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