Commitment taught through athletics prepares Camren Ross for West Point
Apr. 21—Camren Ross' pursuits on the wrestling mat extend well beyond winning or losing a match.
He largely attributes gaining personal qualities such as perseverance, commitment and patience through wrestling. Ross is also an all-state football player, rugby athlete and Gold Letter academic award recipient, but through both his athletic and academic endeavors he says wrestling has taught him the most about succeeding in life.
"Wrestling, by far, has helped me grow in so many ways," he said. "It's been a major aspect of my life because it requires a lot of commitment and it's definitely made the largest impact on me."
Ross believes these skills as well as leadership capabilities, formed in part by his three-year-long captain role on the Whitefish wrestling team, will help him create success when he starts college this fall at the U.S. Military Academy West Point.
After a grueling application process, earlier this year Ross received nominations for all four United States military academies which resulted in appointments to both West Point and the Merchant Marine Academy. In order for a person to attend a military academy they must receive a nomination from a U.S. Senator and also an appointment from the school itself; West Point is highly selective with only about a 10% acceptance rate according to the school.
Starting in his junior year he first applied to a summer seminar. Then after that he says right away he started working on his applications for nominations, and following that the actual application to each academy. All of this included numerous packets, essays, interviews, resumes and tests.
He had to repeat this process for each of the four military academies to which he applied.
"I really wanted to get into a military academy," Ross said. "I wasn't really sure which one at that point in my life, but now I've really decided on West Point."
Ross first became intrigued in a military career path during eighth grade attending a church camp. That interest actually spurted from his own grandfather's service in the U.S. Army as well as realizing his desire to represent his country.
"At that point, I made it a goal in my life to apply and get into an academy," he recalled. "My grandfather served in the Army and he was a great inspiration for me. It's also a wonderful opportunity and great privilege to go to an academy and represent not only my family, but the state and the country as well."
In the fall Ross will finally see his dream, years in the making, come true when he moves to New York to attend the academy.
Ross was also considering other colleges, though. His older brother attends Colorado School of Mines and he was contemplating following in his footsteps. Ross had been talking to the football coaches there and would have likely been able to walk on to the team.
"That was definitely one of my top choices because it's a great school and has a great engineering program," Ross said.
But he ultimately decided to carve a path solely on his own instead by choosing West Point.
He still plans on pursuing engineering though, he's undecided but leaning toward mechanical engineering. His strongest subjects in high school are math and science, and eventually he hopes to find a career in that field within the Army.
Ross grew up in Whitefish and loves participating in all outdoor recreation, including hiking, skiing, hunting, fishing, scuba diving and riding dirt bikes among other activities. He's been a part of the National Honor Society, Key Club, and loves volunteer work.
Although he values all Montana gave him growing up, he's most looking forward to the change of scenery and surrounding himself with like-minded people.
"I'm really excited to surround myself with people who will push me to be the best I can be," he said. "There're so many successful people at West Point, the whole thing is a competition; it's always competitive.
"I'm a very competitive person myself, and being in that environment that will push me to the best that I can be, that's really exciting for me," he added.
And as far as sports, Ross knows the teams at West Point are competitive in NCAA Division I athletics which might make it hard for him to walk on to a team. But he's open to the idea if it becomes available and definitely plans on participating in the many clubs and intramural sports offered at the academy.
As sports and recreation will always be a huge part of Ross' life, he believes the lessons learned and qualities he's formed throughout a life in athletics will carry on as he meets his next challenge.
"The physical aspect of wrestling itself is grueling at the least — I definitely see that as helping me succeed in the military lifestyle," Ross said. "Pushing me past limits and learning how to respond and react to difficult situations."
"And commitment because in the Army I'll be facing difficult situations, so being able to persevere through whatever's thrown at me," he added.
