In his senior year at Indiana University, Pat DeGain, a graduate of CHS in 2000, has risen to the pinnacle of collegiate wrestling. He was recently named an All-American and finished third in the nation in the NCAA wrestling heavyweight division.
‘All year I had the mentality of all or nothing,? said DeGain. ‘I came close to being All-American the past two years and this was my last chance.?
This year DeGain lost in the semifinals to eventual national champion Steve Mocco of Oklahoma State. But he triumphed over Greg Wagner of Michigan in his next match to capture third place.
‘In the beginning of the meet there was a lot of pressure,? said DeGain, who added that he felt a great relief once he had won his first three matches, which gauranteed All-American status.
DeGain went 30-5 over the course of the season. His sterling win-loss record this year pushed his career win total over 100, making him the 11th wrestler in NCAA history to accomplish such sustained excellence.
What makes Pat’s accomplishments this year more impressive is that at 230 pounds he is considered small for the heavyweight class.
‘I definitely do not have the size advantage. But good things come in small packages. I beat people with speed and conditioning,? said DeGain.
DeGain estimated that he gave up 30 pounds to his first opponent in the NCAA tournament and from there on had a 45-pound difference in weight from those he faced.
‘It was a grueling season, and career but wrestling has made me the man I am today,? said DeGain.
Now that wrestling season is over, DeGain is putting the finishing touches on a degree in Physical Education. All that needs to be done is for DeGain to sign the paperwork, and he and his fiancee Nicole Hill will be off to Chicago where Pat has secured a job with the Northwestern University Wildcat International Wrestling Club.
Hill and DeGain have planned an August wedding in the bride-to-be’s hometown of Davison.