A four-time New York State High School finalist-turned-champion, Hofstra wrestling redshirt-freshman Ross McFarland received many offers from various colleges but found his way to Hofstra University from Phoenix, New York.
“I chose Hofstra because I really loved the coaches and environment,” McFarland said. “I also really needed to go somewhere where I received a full-ride, and thankfully Hofstra has given it to me. I am truly blessed and thank God that I am in the position I am today.”
McFarland was a multi-sport athlete at Phoenix High School, where he was a member of the cross-country team as well as the wrestling team. Although he played multiple sports, wrestling was always his passion.
“I’ve been wrestling since I was five years old, and that’s always what I was best at. I would just do cross country to get in shape for wrestling.” He also partook in Unified Basketball, which brings together people with and without intellectual disabilities on one team. It’s motivated by a simple principle: training and playing together, leading to friendship and understanding.
McFarland wrestled unattached in his first season for the Pride because redshirting was his goal coming into college.
“My aggressiveness and technique were there, but I wanted to work on my strength,” he said. “I was able to acclimate a little better, and it really helped me in the long run.”
McFarland stepped up for the team in tremendous ways. He is now the starter at 174 pounds and 2-2 on the season. When asked what his proudest moment has been throughout his wrestling career, he remembers a few memorable times.
“My most proud moment was probably winning states my junior year of high school, and in college when I pinned the Army kid in a tight dual,” McFarland said.
McFarland continues to be driven and tenacious to make more moments in the 2021-22 season. His most significant difference between high school and Division I wrestling is hardness and hand fighting.
“In a wrestler’s eyes, the hand fighting,” he said. “Everybody is strong and tough, but it’s a little bit harder to break kids in college, mentally. It’s more like a fight in college. It’s such a big jump because you’re wrestling kids, then you could be wrestling 24-year-olds.”
Division I wrestling requires significantly more strength, perseverance, and honing-in on specific techniques. One thing he feels remains consistent is the mentality.
“You gotta keep going and going and pushing through every wall until they break,” he said.
McFarland believes he is the wrestler he is today because of his former high school coach, Gene Mills. Mills had an outstanding career as an Olympian, 2-time NCAA champion and Syracuse University’s first four-time All-American. So, it’s no wonder McFarland notes Mills as his favorite athlete. Mills guided McFarland on and off the mat through economic troubles and set the tone for him by pushing him to be the best he could be. McFarland also took inspiration from Olympic wrestler Kyle Dayke because of his aggressiveness. As a result, he was able to adopt different aspects of Dayke’s style of wrestling into his own.
After Hofstra, McFarland plans to be the wrestling coach and physical education teacher at his former high school.
“I kind of have it planned out,” McFarland said. “The plan is for me to graduate and take his spot as the high school wrestling coach, but you never know what’s going to happen; anything can happen.” So even though this is his ultimate goal, he plans to have a backup plan just in case.
Although he has some time before graduating, McFarland hopes to leave an impact at Hofstra.
“I want to leave the program with us wrestlers, knowing that with hard work and dedication, we can achieve our dreams,” McFarland said. “No matter where you are from or background, that we can do anything we put our mind to!”
Photo courtesy of Hofstra Athletics
