Two-Time Fargo Champ, Pixley Keeps Illini Ball Rolling
Two-Time Fargo Champ, Pixley Keeps Illini Ball Rolling
Pixeley Joins Cortez As Illini Enforcements
Willie Saylor, Editor
One of the most coveted prospects in the Class of 2014 has made his commitment to the University of Illinois.
Michael Pixley or Blue Springs, Missouri, largely regarded as one of the most talented recruits in the country this year, has committed to Coach Jim Heffernan and Mark Perry.
Pixley is in the mix for the #1 spot at 182lbs, and is coming off a Fargo in which he blitzed the field. He teched everyone he wrestled this year at the Fargo Junior tournament including Domenic Abounader, who ended the season ranked #1 in the country.
It was the second straight year that Pixley won a Fargo title as he took the crown in Cadets in 2012 at the same weight. He joins fellow 2x Fargo Champion, Jered Cortez, as Illinois commitments in this class and joins a talented Illini roster.
He chose Illinois over the Missouri Tigers and Iowa State Cyclones.
We had a chance to speak with Michael regarding his decision:
WS: Why was Illinois the choice for you?
MP: I'm originally from Illinois. I've been wrestling in that room since I first started wrestling. It was just meant to be.
WS: What is your relationship like with the coaches and wrestlers at Illinois like?
MP: I knew Coach Heffernan since I was little. I just met Coach Perry but I feel like I've known him my whole life. Everything just clicked and fell into place. I know a lot of the kids on the team and it just seems like a perfect fit for me.
WS: What other schools were you considering?
MP: I knew where I wanted to go from the beginning. But I was impressed with Iowa state and Coach Jackson and his staff. Mizzou was kind of in the picture but other than that my mind was set on Illinois.
WS: What are your plans for the preseason?
MP: I'm going to train, try to put on some muscle, and get ready for the dual for Who's #1.
WS: Illinois has brought in some great rectuiing classes the last couple of years. Was that a factor in your decision?
MP: Yeah definitely. I'm gonna have some great workout partners. But more than anything it was the coaching staff. Their expectations for me really sealed the deal.
WS: Anything else you would like to say?
MP: Just wanna say thanks to everyone who had helped me along the way. Special thanks to Nick Purler, Mike Hagerty, Jason Keck and Ryan King. Also Jeff Estrada. He taught me how to wrestle from the heart.
Congratulations to Michael and the Blue Springs and Illinois Wrestling Communities!
View All 2014 DI Commitments Here
Insiders: View Michael's Profile Here
Willie Saylor, Editor
One of the most coveted prospects in the Class of 2014 has made his commitment to the University of Illinois.
Michael Pixley or Blue Springs, Missouri, largely regarded as one of the most talented recruits in the country this year, has committed to Coach Jim Heffernan and Mark Perry.
Pixley is in the mix for the #1 spot at 182lbs, and is coming off a Fargo in which he blitzed the field. He teched everyone he wrestled this year at the Fargo Junior tournament including Domenic Abounader, who ended the season ranked #1 in the country.
It was the second straight year that Pixley won a Fargo title as he took the crown in Cadets in 2012 at the same weight. He joins fellow 2x Fargo Champion, Jered Cortez, as Illinois commitments in this class and joins a talented Illini roster.
He chose Illinois over the Missouri Tigers and Iowa State Cyclones.
We had a chance to speak with Michael regarding his decision:
WS: Why was Illinois the choice for you?
MP: I'm originally from Illinois. I've been wrestling in that room since I first started wrestling. It was just meant to be.
WS: What is your relationship like with the coaches and wrestlers at Illinois like?
MP: I knew Coach Heffernan since I was little. I just met Coach Perry but I feel like I've known him my whole life. Everything just clicked and fell into place. I know a lot of the kids on the team and it just seems like a perfect fit for me.
WS: What other schools were you considering?
MP: I knew where I wanted to go from the beginning. But I was impressed with Iowa state and Coach Jackson and his staff. Mizzou was kind of in the picture but other than that my mind was set on Illinois.
WS: What are your plans for the preseason?
MP: I'm going to train, try to put on some muscle, and get ready for the dual for Who's #1.
WS: Illinois has brought in some great rectuiing classes the last couple of years. Was that a factor in your decision?
MP: Yeah definitely. I'm gonna have some great workout partners. But more than anything it was the coaching staff. Their expectations for me really sealed the deal.
WS: Anything else you would like to say?
MP: Just wanna say thanks to everyone who had helped me along the way. Special thanks to Nick Purler, Mike Hagerty, Jason Keck and Ryan King. Also Jeff Estrada. He taught me how to wrestle from the heart.
Congratulations to Michael and the Blue Springs and Illinois Wrestling Communities!
View All 2014 DI Commitments Here
Insiders: View Michael's Profile Here