Takedown Report

Klessinger: O’Connor’s unwavering grit led to a second title

TDR Editor’s Notes; Another in a series of articles by Coach John Klessinger in WIN wrestling magazine. He writes about the tenacity of the University of North Carolina’s two time National champion. Another connection to our state is that Coach Klessinger formerly coached at SouthWest Edgecombe High School about 20 years ago before moving back to his home state of Maryland. We welcome your input and reactions to us at martinkfleming@gmail.com ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

By John Klessinger

Substitute wrestling with any other life endeavor and it is the same. North Carolina’s Austin O’Connor demonstrated what we already know but quickly forget when adversity comes our way. Success is not a straight line. It is filled with pain and heartache. But that is why we love stories like O’Connor’s. Whatever happens in wrestling or life, get up, move forward, and keep believing in yourself. 

O’Connor found out before the ACC tournament in 2022 that his ACL was partially torn. He knew full well that it would worsen if he wrestled. He was the returning 2021 NCAA champion. But, as I had come to learn about the Lockport, Ill., native, not wrestling wasn’t an option for him. Ingrained in O’Connor is an attitude of toughness and self-belief. 

O’Connor would come into the 2022 NCAA tournament as the No. 11 seed; his lowest seed in the four years at the tournament. After placing sixth in 2019 and seed No. 2 in 2020,  O’Connor came into 2021 as the two seed, upending No. 1 Sammy Sasso of Ohio State, 3-2, in the final.

This column appeared in the April 6 edition of WIN Magazine. Click on the cover or call 888-305-0606 to subscribe.

The ACL injury prevented a repeat. In overtime, O’Connor lost his 2022 NCAA tournament opening match to Dazjon Casto from the Citadel. Through the progression of the ACC and NCAA tournaments, O’Connor would fully tear his ACL. After the loss to Casto, he won four consecutive consolation matches to earn his fourth All-American honor. He medically forfeited his remaining matches, placing eighth. 

“I wanted surgery as soon as possible,” Austin recalled. “It hurt losing and placing eighth. But I knew I could win it again.”

His knee sustained a lot of trauma. Outside of reconstructing the ACL, his lateral collateral ligament (LCL) and medial collateral ligament (MCL) were damaged. 

“I’ve always had the hard route,” he said. “I went into surgery confident. I knew it would be tough, but I also knew it would work out if I put in the time and sacrifice,” he said about his mindset before surgery. 

Austin is no stranger to success. He was a four-time state champion at St. Rita of Cascia High School in Illinois. … rest of story at WIN-magazine.com/2023/04/06/klessinger-oconnors-unwavering-grit-led-to-a-second-title

April 6, 2023 - Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized