Rayshawn Dixon’s senior season has been one to remember with goals he says he still wants to accomplish.
Dixon wrestles at 285 lbs. and is ranked third in the nation for his weight class. His 27-0 record with 12 pins has helped him reach this ranking.
The next time Dixon will be on the mat is March 1 and March 2 at the NCAA Southeast Regional in Williamsport, PA.
To make it to the national tournament, Dixon will have to place in the top three.
“Going to the national tournament wrestling on the biggest stage,” Dixon said, about his goals for the rest of this season.
Dixon is big on his preparation between matches.
“When preparing for matches, the routine is the same,” Dixon said. “If there is a particular technique or movement that helps my overall performance, I practice it.”
Also, when preparing for matches since Dixon wrestles heavyweight he doesn’t have to cut weight.
But preparation in between matches is one thing. Winning 27 in a row is another.
“I’ve went into overtime a couple of times this season, but even in those moments I felt confident in my abilities and belief in my training,” Dixon said on if he’s had any close calls to losing this season.
Dixon said his favorite match of the season was competing and winning he Pete Wilson Invitational.
“The Pete Wilson Invitational is a tough tournament, so winning it for the second time means a lot to me,” Dixon said.
Dixon hasn’t always seen success though.
In his freshman season–cut short due to COVID-19–Dixon finished the year 4-5. His sophomore season was completed with a 30-15 record.
Since then, It’s been nothing short of domination.
In Dixon’s junior year, he went 34-5. Now, in his senior season, he is 27-0, ranked third in the country, and is a top three-finish at the Southeast Regional Tournament away from competing at the National Championships.
“The struggles in the past and the way we’ve bounced back from them makes this all the more enjoyable,” Dixon said.
But Dixon’s run will not be over after this season.
He plans to return to Ferrum with the extra year (due to COVID-19) and wrestle as a fifth-year senior. After his wrestling career is over, Dixon wants to coach.
