Tyrone wresting standout and former PIAA state wresting champ AJ Schopp (’10) made his final trip to the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships for Edinboro University last weekend in St. Louis, Missouri. After a disappointing start, Schopp went on an amazing run to finish third in the nation in the 133 pound weight class.

Schopp entered the tournament with high hopes despite a difficult injury-shortened senior season.  Seeded a suprising ninth, Schopp hoped to contend for a national title.  However, a first round upset to unseeded Caleb Richardson of Penn put him immediately in the consolation bracket.

While some wrestlers might have folded after a first round upset, Schopp bounced back with three pins and seven wins in a row on his way to a third place finish, his highest ever in the NCAA tournament.

Schopp, now a three time All-American, was the only wrestler in the tournament able to come back from an opening round loss to win third.

Schopp’s performance helped Edinboro finish third in the nation behind first place Ohio State and second place Iowa.

The Eagle Eye got an exclusive interview with Schopp just days after his final collegiate wrestling match.  Here’s what AJ had to say:

Eagle Eye:  Take us through the tourney, what happened in your first round loss to Penn’s Caleb Richardson?

AJ Schopp: First match, my opponent scored more points than me (laughter). No, he just got me that match. It definitely wasn’t the AJ everyone loves to watch out there. The big man upstairs must have switched something in me and allowed me to turn around and finish strong. God gives the toughest battles to his strongest soldiers!

EE: What changed after the first match that caused you to go out there and dominate the rest of the way?

AJ: My first win was kind of tough because it was right after my loss. But after that match Coach Flynn told me to go out there and get a pin. So I got three pins in a row. Which felt amazing, I couldn’t stop smiling.

EE: You were the only wrestler in this year’s NCAA tournament to lose the first match, then wrestle back and win 7 straight to take 3^rd. How do you feel about that?

AJ: If I wasn’t going to win a national championship, I’m glad I had the path I was put in because it shows character. It is really hard to fight back and get third when you only wanted to be at the top. That chance was taken away from me right away. My mindset had to change to come back and get third.

EE: You took down the number one seed in the tournament, Chris Dardanes of Minnesota in your final collegiate match, what was your strategy?

AJ: It was nothing different than any other match. I know I needed to get on top, ride him out, and get some turns. It didn’t quite go that way. I was down the whole match until the end where I needed a take down to tie it up. I got in on a shot and I had to finish it if I wanted to win and I did.  It felt amazing.

EE: What would you like to say to all of your fans back in Tyrone that supported you and cheered you on your whole wrestling career?

AJ: I would like to say I cannot wait to see everyone back home. It’s been awhile because I’ve been training hard in wrestling. Also, I can’t wait to go to Jeanos, hangout, and get a good ole’ Jean-O-Boli!

EE: What is next for you now that your collegiate wrestling career is over?

AJ: I would like to continue my search for a job coaching Division I wrestling. As of now I am talking to several schools and my options are open.

“I cannot wait to see everyone back home. It’s been awhile because I’ve been training hard in wrestling. Also, I can’t wait to go to Jeanos, hangout, and get a good ole’ Jean-O-Boli!”

– AJ Schopp