State champion Chris Earnest commits to Campbell over Kent State, Clarion and George Mason
Chris Earnest has long been about pushing the envelope in terms of making himself better.
On Friday, the Wadsworth state champion took that next step when he committed to Campbell University to wrestle for the Fighting Camels.
Earnest, a 165-pound senior, chose Campbell over the likes of Kent State, Clarion and George Mason.
“Coming up through the program I’ve always seen people go off to college and wrestle at high-profile programs,” Earnest said. “It’s kind of always been my dream to hop another level.
“It’s awesome to think how far I’ve come from wrestling 45 pounds or whatever that littlest weight is in youth to winning state at 150 pounds and now committing to Campbell. It’s an insane journey when you think about it.”
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Fighting Camels on the rise
It’s even nuttier when you look at the success Campbell has had under coach Scotti Sentes.
In the six seasons Sentes has been with the Camels as either an assistant or head coach, the Ft. Myers, Florida, native has coached 32 NCAA qualifiers, 21 All-Southern Conference wrestlers, 18 conference champions and won the league for the fourth consecutive season this spring.
Included are two SoCon Wrestlers of the Year.
“I’m very excited just knowing the program I’m going to is growing and making a name for itself before I even get there,” Earnest said. “It’s a really good sign knowing I’m going there competing for them.
“I really like their coaches and their wrestling facility. Their engineering program is one of the best. Campbell has a really good intern program. I’m going to college to wrestle, but not only am I going to wrestle, I’m going to set up the rest of my life. You can’t expect to go to college and just wrestle. You have to have something to back you up and set up your future.”
Earnest ready to wrestle with success
Earnest, who carries a 3.60 grade-point average, is unsure of a major, but he knows he wants to specialize in engineering.
Earnest will come to the program with some big accolades. With a senior season still to come, he has a 113-19 record with the Grizzlies and is a three-time state qualifier.
He finished fourth at the Division I state tournament as a sophomore and beat future Campbell teammate Wynton Denkins of Perrysburg 4-2 this spring to win a title.
That said, Earnest, who is slated to wrestle 174 in college, is ready for that next step under Sentes’ tutelage.
“The room and the college level in general are going to be a step up for me,” he said. “When you go from youth to middle school to high school you adjust to the strength. More kids have more technique. I’m excited to make that jump at the college level.
“Everyone you’re going to wrestle in college is wrestling for a scholarship. You’re getting paid to wrestle. That will only help.”
If there is such a thing as a hidden advantage in making the transition, Earnest may have it thanks to his brother Jordan Earnest.
Jordan was a Walsh Ironman All-American and state champion and wrestled for Ohio University.
Chris has always been tight with his big brother and plans on picking his brain about competing at the highest level once he gets to Campbell.
“Just knowing that I have my brother there for me is going to help a lot,” he said. “He’s gone through a lot and should help me. Some of the training will be the same even though it’s two different colleges.
“He’ll be able to help me with dealing with the academic side. He can help me handle when practices get hard. It’s nice to have someone to lean back on when you need it the most.”
Contact Brad Bournival at bbournival@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter at @bbournival.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Wadsworth state champion Chris Earnest finds wrestling home at Campbell
