Sports

Logos photo by Derek Grote NIACC freshman Albert White, wrestling at 149 lbs., puts a move on a Ridgewater opponent early in a match on November 14. White won the match by a technical fall.

White sets sights on national title

A.J. Groebner
Staff Reporter

After compiling a record of 199 wins and four losses, being a four-time state high school champion, winning a high school national championship and finishing his senior year undefeated with 50 wins at St. Rita High School in Chicago, Albert White looks to be a standout for the Trojan wrestling squad this season.

Everything a high school wrestler can accomplish, White has done.

White, a freshman at NIACC, started wrestling at the age of 11 for the Harvey Twisters Wrestling Club.

The Harvey Twisters Wrestling Club is one of the best wrestling clubs in the nation according to White’s coach at NIACC Richard Fergola.

He said the wrestling club has produced many high-caliber wrestlers over the years including Joe Williams from the University of Iowa who won multiple championships.

“I came to NIACC because I feel coach (Richard) Fergola can help me achieve my goals in wrestling,” White said.

White has not only been getting his work done at practice, he said he has also been working hard at school.

White said he plans on going to the University of Illinois after NIACC to continue his wrestling career.

“I believe Albert will be the best wrestler at 149 pounds this year and a national champion,” Fergola, NIACC’s head wrestling coach, said. “He will run into ‘buzz saws’ this year, but he is a very hard worker and will overcome them.”

White has been mentioned in newspapers and wrestling magazines. One of these was “Wrestling USA Magazine” where he was nominated to be part of the 2007 “Dream Team.”

With all the press, White handles himself pretty well and does not mind the media, according to Fergola.

“He is a humble person and carries himself as an adult,” Fergola said.

White’s work ethic and goal-oriented mentality are reasons the team has voted him to be one of the captains on the wrestling squad this initial season.

“Albert is a good leader and motivates others to do their best,” teammate T.J. Moen said.

With the high expectations White has for himself, Fergola said he hopes it will rub off on the team too.

Fergola said he likes White’s willingness to learn. “Albert is a joy to coach,” Fergola said.

White has set high goals for his future in wrestling.

One day White said he hopes to win the gold medal for the USA wrestling team at the Olympics.

As for this year, White said he plans on winning an individual national title, a team national title and competing hard.