Last week, Tyler Fuqua signed his letter of intent to wrestle at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, a Division III school in the southwest corner of the Badger State.
There’s getting away from it all, and then there’s really getting away.
Platteville, only 22 miles from Dubuque, Iowa, is where Fuqua, a winner in all 18 of his matches this season — some at 160 pounds, but mostly 170 — plans to continue his academic and athletic careers. His decision to wrestle for the Pioneers meant disappointing other suitors such as Marian and Kentucky Wesleyan.
“The scenery around there is just unbelievable,” said Fuqua, a four-year starter for the Grizzly Cubs who started his prep career by advancing all the way to state as a 120-pound freshman. “Coach (Mike) DeRoehn and the assistants showed a lot of interest, and everything just seemed to line up.
“I just wanted an experience out of town to get a better perspective on other states and stuff like that. It’s where I want to go and where I want to pursue my future.”
Fuqua plans to major in plant and wildlife biology to one day become a game warden or conservation officer. His love of all things outdoors, including fishing and hunting, was passed down by his father Eric and uncle Stu Fuqua.
Of course, what the senior is accomplishing indoors is noteworthy as well.
Fuqua, who during his time at Franklin has jumped from 120 pounds to 132 as sophomore to 160 last season to his current 170, has amassed a record of 117-21. Two of his postseason losses were to eventual state champions — Jimtown’s Hunter Watts in as a freshman at 120 and Eli Dickens of Evansville Mater Dei at semistate last year at 160.
While some could view it as bad fortune, Fuqua isn’t about to go that route.
“Obviously, it pushes me to work harder in the wrestling room,” Fuqua said. “I’ve tried to keep the same mentality all four years, to fight for every point on the mat. I’ve been wrestling where coach (Jim) Tonte wants me to wrestle to help the team wherever I fit best to get points.”
Fuqua was one of four Grizzly Cub wrestlers to win his weight class at the Mid-State Conference meet at Franklin earlier this month. Due to concerns related to COVID-19, there is a strong possibility the Grizzly Cubs won’t return to competition until the Mooresville Sectional on Jan. 30.
In the meantime, Fuqua, who is ranked ninth in the state at 160 even though that’s no longer his specialty, continues to put in the work required for what he hopes is his lengthiest postseason run yet.
His coach is confident the work will pay dividends.
“Kids hit growth spurts at different times. Honestly, kids get tired of cutting (weight), too, and I don’t blame them,” Tonte said. “They want to get bigger and stronger. Tyler decided he was going to lift hard and let his body grow.
“He understands the sport as well as anyone. Tyler is very seasoned when it comes to competition, but he’s wrestled all the top-level kids since he was little.”
