Kellen Russell was named the 2008 Big Ten Freshman of the Year (Photo/University of Michigan Sports Information)Both Kellen Russell and his head coach at Michigan, Joe McFarland, recognize the challenge of that second season when you're no longer the new guy with all the surprises.
"Last year was a great year for me," according to Russell in an interview before the eastern road trip. "I started strong. I was able to catch some guys off-guard. But I have to change my style, work on being more aggressive."
"Some guys get stagnant, do the same old things," says coach McFarland. "(Kellen's) working on things, constantly improving, wanting to develop further as a wrestler."
Driven to succeed from the start
Continuous improvement may be part of Kellen Russell's wrestling DNA, as it was a factor even early in his mat career.
"I started wrestling when I was five or six years old," says the product of High Bridge, New Jersey. "Dad was a high school coach when I was little."
"After fifth grade, I decided to leave the school program and wrestled exclusively in a club," Russell continues. "It was an opportunity to work on technique, and have more varied opponents, which also helped me improve my wrestling."
When asked how he came to wrestle at the Blair Academy -- the top-ranked prep wrestling program in the nation -- Kellen replies, "Coach (Jeff) Buxton's son started coming to my wrestling club … I started working out (at Blair) before high school."
"I thought it was a good choice academically and athletically."
Before coming to Michigan, Kellen Russell was a standout at Blair Academy (Photo/Tech-Fall.com)While at Blair, Kellen Russell compiled an impressive 147-7 record. Among his achievements in prep school: Three-time National Prep champion in 2004, 2006 and 2007 … two-time Walsh Ironman finalist, winning the championship in 2006 … and three-time finalist at Beast of the East, claiming the title in 2005. In addition, he won the 130-pound crown at the 2007 Senior Nationals, the Junior National title at 130 in 2006, and the Cadet National championship at 125 in 2005.
To top it all off, Kellen Russell was named Northeastern Region recipient of the 2007 Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award. This honor acknowledges more than on-the-mat prowess; it also signifies outstanding achievement in the classroom, as well as character, citizenship, and community service.
Ask Russell to pick a favorite moment of his time at Blair Academy, and he responds, "The cap of my high school career was winning the nationals (2007 NHSCA Senior Nationals). I wrestled and beat (Tyler) Nauman who I had lost to earlier. It proved that I was the top 130-pounder in the country."
From Blair to Michigan
So, how did a guy from New Jersey end up wrestling at the University of Michigan?
Joe McFarlandMichigan head coach Joe McFarland picks up the story: "Coach Buxton told me we need to get some Blair kids, especially Kellen Russell. So we watched him at Blair. We liked what we saw, and invited him to see us."
"When I came here, I was impressed right away," says the Wolverine sophomore. "The campus is beautiful, I like the town."
"Another reason I chose Michigan: I could wrestle off at 141. I didn't want to redshirt."
A fantastic freshman year
Kellen Russell sums up the move from small prep school to super-sized Big Ten campus this way: "To go from 450 students at Blair to 40,000 here at Michigan, well, that was a jump. But after a couple months, I felt right at home. It was easy to find my way around."
"I got along with the kids on the team right from the start," Russell continues. "To have guys like Josh Churella and Mike Kulczycki as workout partners, you can't beat that. It's a great environment."
As a true freshman, Russell found his place as the 141-pound starter, and made immediate contributions to the Wolverine wrestling program. During the 2007-2008 season, Russell built a 32-7 overall record, 19-5 in dual-meet competition … rolling up 18 straight wins. Those statistics earned him a place in the history books as having the best start as a true freshman in the nearly ninety years of wrestling at the University of Michigan.
"It was a great year for me," says Russell. "I started strong."
His strong start was demonstrated in his very first college bout, a 16-1 victory over Dave Harris of College of Mount St. Joseph (Cincinnati). Another early highlight: winning the 141-pound title at the Cliff Keen Invitational December 1, 2007.
In March 2008, Russell defeated Minnesota's Manny Rivera in the 141-pound finals of the Big Ten championships to win the conference crown. He also earned Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors.
"It was a good experience. I wrestled my matches my way."
"I had been ill part of the dual-meet season, when we were competing against Big Ten schools. I wrestled through it, but wasn't at my best. So it was good to prove myself against Big Ten competition."
Kellen Russell beat J Jaggers to win the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational in December, but lost to the Buckeye when it mattered most … at the NCAA Championships in March (Photo/Tech-Fall.com)"On the second day, I let my nerves take over. I let my loss to J. Jaggers affect me."
After losing to the Ohio State Buckeye -- and eventual 141 national champ -- in the quarterfinals, the third-seeded Russell found himself in the consolation bracket … where, in his first match in the conseys, lost to tenth-seeded Cody Cleveland of University of Tennessee-Chattanooga, and did not place.
"It was a good learning lesson."
A style evolution
Ask Kellen Russell to describe his wrestling style, and here's his response: "I'm similar to most Big Ten guys. Handfight real hard … Good scrambling ability. I don't mind rolling around, using my hips when on the mat in a scramble."
In his assessment of his 141-pound sophomore, Michigan coach Joe McFarland concurs: "Very athletic. Great hips. Comes out on top from scramble position well. Good in all positions. Especially good on top, neutralizing the other guy."
Russell is never satisfied. "I plan to focus on being more aggressive, more offense-oriented. I hope to dominate opponents, score extra team points."
"The more action he can create, the more he can achieve," says McFarland. "He continues to develop."
What's next?
What's life beyond the mat hold for Kellen Russell?
Last season, Kellen Russell built a 32-7 record … rolling up 18 straight wins (Photo/University of Michigan Sports Information)Right now, Russell is working towards a major in physical education. "Dad was a gym teacher. I could see myself as a high school or college coach."
After graduation -- and before possibly stepping into a coaching role -- Kellen Russell isn't ready to step off the wrestling mat just yet. "I'd like to keep competing freestyle. I enjoy freestyle. I'd like to travel around the world, try out for the U.S. Olympic and World Teams."
For a wrestler like Kellen Russell who's constantly seeking to improve himself, those goals may be well within reach.
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