On Friday, Feb. 6, 2015, Pennridge senior Joe Kracz was recognized for committing to continue his wrestling career at New York University. To view photos of the signing event, please visit the Photo Gallery at the following link: http://photos.suburbanonesports.com/g/02615_signings_9_dl
Joe Kracz – New York University (Wrestling)
Major: Engineering
Final list of colleges: NYU, Gettysburg, Drexel, Bucknell
Reasons for choosing NYU: “The coach from NYU got my information, and he e-mailed me and said, ‘We’d like to have you up for a visit. We’ve seen what you can do,’ so I went up for a visit, and I fell in love with the school and the city itself – the school is in downtown Manhattan. I liked what they had to offer. Their wrestling program is an up and coming program, and I really like that. I saw a lot of potential in the program. I met with the guys – there’s a lot of camaraderie there. The coaches were great. The whole school in general – I loved it.”
What was the progression that led you to wrestling at the collegiate level? “I started wrestling back in seventh grade. I didn’t think I’d get as into it as I am now, but eighth grade I was doing pretty well. My freshman year I fell more and more in love with the sport as I did it, and I said, ‘Maybe I want to continue this at the next level and keep getting better.’ It’s an idea that kept growing over time ever since I started (wrestling).”
Coach RP Norley says: “Joe Kracz is a class act. He started wresting, I believe, in eighth grade, and has made HUGE gains in the past four years. He really became a leader his junior and senior years and led by example on the mat, in the weight room and in the classroom. He managed his time well and was in student council, drama and National Honor Society. He came to me countless times and asked for private instruction, and we would wrestle at 5:30 am before school. We worked hard, and this is just the tip of the iceberg. I am more than confident that Joe will continue to succeed in life and will continue to give nothing short of his best moving forward at NYU and beyond! I am super proud to have been his coach and suspect that we will remain good friends for years to come.”
About Joe:
Favorite food: Pulled Pork
Favorite movie: American Sniper
Favorite music: Rock
- Log in to post comments
