Wadsworth champion wrestler Jaxon Joy commits to Cornell

Two-time state finalist and defending Division I champion Jaxon Joy found everything he was looking for in Ivy League member Cornell. The junior committed Thursday to the Big Red, which is ranked seventh in the National Wrestling Coaches Association poll. "I just felt like all of the opportunities their program had to offer were perfect for me," he said. "Their coaches are incredible, and the training situation there I feel like was exactly what I wanted. "When I met with all of their coaches, they immediately made me feel like I was one of their guys. Their entire team really does feel like a family." After winning the D-I state title at 120 pounds and becoming an All-American at the United States Marine Corps Junior National Tournament, Joy was a highly sought-after recruit. On his 17th birthday, Joy selected the Big Red over ninth-ranked North Carolina State, Virginia, Purdue and Oklahoma. In addition to giving Joy the opportunity to go against top competition, Cornell offers the chance to shape his education with the goal of becoming a coach someday. Joy plans to follow an interdisciplinary studies program. "Obviously, being an Ivy League school, they are a prestigious university, and I like the fact that they will let me pick and choose my classes that I feel will help me get better at coaching," Joy said. Sixth-year senior Yianni Diakomihalis has won three national championships in the past five years for Cornell, which like all Ivy League schools does not offer athletic scholarships. Joy is looking forward to the opportunity to continue that legacy. "I feel like I'll fit right in there," Joy said. "With my frame, I'm pretty unique for my weight class. My goal is to bring national titles for the team and individually, as well." Contact John Urchek at jurchek@medina-gazette.com.