Meet The Freshman: Drew Roberts

Another season of Minnesota Wrestling is just around the corner, which means it is time to introduce the new class of incoming freshman. First up is Drew Roberts, the Couer d'Alene, Idaho product, who was a three-time high school state champion in three different states, including an Idaho state title as a senior at 152 pounds under high school coach and uncle Jeff Moffat.

Now Roberts, who is the son of veteran Division-I wrestling coach Kevin Roberts, jumps to the collegiate scene as he looks to enter the fold in a deep middleweight roster for the Maroon & Gold.

GopherSports: Right away, what was it that led you to choose the University of Minnesota?

Roberts: I think the biggest thing was the tradition that Minnesota wrestling has, and the culture that the coaches bring to their team. They are coaches that will be there for you, even if it was outside of wrestling they would have your back. I just thought with all of that, Minnesota was the best place for me to become the best wrestler and person that I can be.

GS: Of course with Minnesota being in the Big Ten, you'll have the opportunity to wrestle in the premier conference for collegiate wrestling. Does that excite you and did that factor into your decision at all?

Roberts: Yeah, that was a big thing. Being in the Big Ten is a huge deal. It doesn't get any better in the Big Ten. For me, being able to wrestle in those environments is one of a kind. Obviously we have a great environment here and also some of those tough places on the road, so you don't get that experience anywhere else.

GS: One thing that you have referenced is the competitiveness in the room, especially around your weight class with guys like Michael Blockhus, Brayton Lee and Andrew Sparks. Do you think that benefits you to have the opportunity to compete with the top guys in the nation every day?

Roberts: For sure, that definitely adds to everything else I like about Minnesota to have those guys there. Even the coaching staff we have here with Coach Becker and Coach Schlatter right around the weight, it's been great so far.

GS: You have talked about the culture that the coaches have built here, and right now we're in a great spot with the amount of young talent we have in the room. What excites you about the potential this group has throughout your college career?

Roberts: Yeah, I'm excited to be a part of a team that's going to be top-four in the country contending for trophies. That's a very rare opportunity, and not only do we have guys now, but with my recruiting class and the ones in the future, we're shaping up to be pretty good.

GS: Talk about your wrestling style a little bit and what you bring to the room here at Minnesota?

Roberts: Yeah, I like to bring a lot of energy. High pace, high intensity, and score a lot of points. Most of the time, I think I'd rather tech someone than try to pin them, because when you put a lot of points up, that's something that people like to watch. Fans love to see guys putting points up, so I try to bring that high energy and put on a show.

GS: Your family ties in the sport of wrestling has also been a big influence in your life, with your father being a Division-I coach, as well as your uncle who coached you at Coeur d'Alene. How has your family helped you in the sport of wrestling?

Roberts: Yeah, wrestling has been big on both sides of my family, but I think the biggest thing was that it wasn't forced upon. Of course, I did it and happened to find a love for it and from there the family has been very supportive.

GS: Bouncing off of that, with your dad bouncing around collegiate wrestling, did he give you any advice or insight leading into your decision or was it more of you making your own decision and your family would follow wherever you landed?

Roberts: Yeah, he obviously has a lot of experience with coaching and recruiting, so he knows what to look for in a successful program, so I think he guided me a little bit but at the same time, he wanted for me to make my own decision and ultimately I think that the decision I made is one that he liked and supported.

GS: You had some unique circumstances in your high school career wrestling in three different states in four years. Do you think that those experiences wrestling all-around the Northwest benefited your wrestling at all?

Roberts: Honestly, I think there were some good sides and some down sides. I think the challenges I faced with switching schools so many times helped me to learn how to deal with adversity, so when I face different challenges in the future, that will be easier to overcome. There was definitely some adjusting to do, but that experience will help me in the future both in and out of wrestling.

GS: Finally, when you look forward to your college career, what is it that you're looking to accomplish both individually and as a team?

Roberts: The main thing is to become the best person that I can be, and help the team be the best that we can be, and then of course ultimately I want to become an All-American and an NCAA Champion and help bring a team title to Minnesota.

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Players Mentioned

Michael Blockhus

Brayton Lee

Drew Roberts

Andrew Sparks