With hard work and determination, Palmyra High School graduate Trevor Young excelled as a student and a wrestler.
Despite 30 matches canceled due to COVID in his freshman year, he finished his high-school career with 103 victories, earning his milestone 100th against Hammonton during the final match of the regular season.
This summer, the 2024 grad is busily getting ready for the next chapter in his life, working out each day and packing his bags for freshman year at Western New England University in Springfield, Massachusetts.
“I am definitely excited,” said Young, who plans to major in business analytics and minor in information technology. “I look forward to working with my new coaches and teammates and making new friends.”
During freshman orientation in June, Young said he liked the university’s beautiful campus, where he got to see the athletic facilities and visit his dormitory.
“I got to meet my new roommate, who is also on the wrestling team,” noted Young, adding that he hopes to wrestle at 133 pounds or possibly up to 141.
“It is sad to see a child go away to school, but it is a process,” acknowledged Young’s father Stan, who praised his son’s academic scholarship to the university. “We are happy with his decision.”
Young’s mom Kristen has been busy teaching him how to do laundry, and his older sister Ashley texts him with words of support.
“My mom is definitely proud of me,” said Young, whose favorite high-school subjects were mathematics and English. “I liked growing up in Palmyra. It is a small town and I was able to get close to a lot of people. I am a little nervous, but mostly excited, about going away to school.
“It will be something different.”
“Trevor’s been blessed with great people throughout his life that have helped him develop into a great young man, as well a great wrestler,” the elder Young revealed. “A few worth mentioning are Joe Erb, Mike Lamb and Scott Warnock, who have believed in my son since he was little and still support him to this day.
“Watching the two men who are also on the 100-win banner for Palmyra come to my son and work with him over the past couple years was such a feel-good moment for us,” he added. “They had a goal to help my son achieve his goal and they helped him join them on the 100-win banner. Those two men are Ricky Bailey and Alex Moritz.
“His decision to continue wrestling in college is a testament to the coaches he has had growing up that taught him to love competing and not to focus on outcomes.”
Coach Bailey won 138 matches while at Palmyra High and Moritz saw 135. Even in the pandemic-shortened season, Young finished his career with a 103-16 record.
“I enjoyed my time at Palmyra High,” Young offered. “There are a lot of good teachers. The wrestling team was a good mixture of people and a lot of us got along really well.”
Young will drive to New England with his parents next week and set up his dorm room. Classes start on Aug. 26, and this winter, he will compete as a Division III wrestler.
Young will take with him fond memories of his hometown.
