AJ Ferrari is a familiar name in the world of college wrestling. He has a notable history, having spent considerable time in the arena, and he boasts an NCAA title from his competitive days with Oklahoma State. Nonetheless, focusing back on the sport, he has experienced nothing but triumph with California State University, Bakersfield (CSUB).
Recall the moment he delivered a statement in a signature style, declaring, “AJ FERRARI COMMITTED To CAL STATE BAKERSFIELD ” What about his record? A closer examination reveals that prior to the NCAA Championships, he held an impressive record of 17-0. Nonetheless, he currently stands at 20-1. Indeed, it appears that AJ Ferrari has experienced a setback against one of his more seasoned competitors.
In a candid moment on his Instagram story, the CSUB wrestler expressed his sincere sentiments regarding the match, saying, “A big Apology to my Family, Friends, Fans, Supporters, and Sponsors. Tonight was a [s***] performance and I have no excuses. I am still 2-1 against you Stephen Buchanan but you got the last dip when it counted and I admit it hurts. But I’m definitely not done yet.”
The two wrestlers engaged in a grueling contest. The match highlighted the fierce competition between AJ Ferrari, ranked #2, and Stephen Buchanan, ranked #3, with the Iowa Hawkeyes wrestler emerging victorious in a decisive 3-0 outcome. This event transcended a mere competition; with this defeat, Ferrari’s impressive 39-match winning streak came to an end, marking only the second loss in his career. What about their rivalry?
Throughout the 2020–21 and 2021-22 wrestling seasons, the two competitors clashed on two occasions, with Ferrari claiming victory in both encounters. At that time, Ferrari was in competition with the Cowboys, securing his first victory at the Oklahoma State – Wyoming Dual, followed by a second win at the Big 12 Championships. The NCAA championships for the CSUB wrestler this season are far from concluded, as he prepares to take the mat once more. Do you remember the level of confidence he displayed prior to the NCAA finals?
AJ Ferrari’s formula of wrestling dominance
Before the NCAA finals, in a discussion with FloWrestling’s Christian Pyles, AJ Ferrari stated, “Everybody in the country, personally, I see there’s, like, everybody wants to talk about tiers. You guys were talking about tiers earlier in the season. My tiers are not always the most technical and the most sound. For me, it’s a mental tier.”
In straightforward terms, Ferrari maintains a superior mental edge over his competitors on the mat. However, this does not imply that he has abandoned his commitment to maintaining his physical strength. Recall the moment he achieved an impressive 605 lbs deadlift?
The CSUB wrestler shared his perspective on fellow competitors, stating, “Like, I feel like Jacob Cardenas is honestly just as technical and just as good a wrestler as Stephen Buchanan, as me. I just don’t feel like he’s there or here. I feel like you watch. Same thing with Trey Munoz and Stephen Little. They’re almost as good. But then that second, third period, they started to get a little bit off. Conditioning is not just physical. It’s mental. You know?”
For Ferrari, his experience allows him to maintain control over the circumstances at hand. He acknowledges the strategies employed by his opponents; however, he maintains that his mental fortitude surpasses theirs.
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