Fairfax, Va.- George Mason University's wrestling team recently won the Bronze Round of the Virginia Duals. A key contributor in that tournament was redshirt freshman Tejon Anthony, who went undefeated in his three weekend matches.
Tuesday, Anthony was named the Eastern Wrestling League's Co-Freshman of the Week and gave an exclusive interview to GoMason.com discussing the award, how he blocks out the crowd at away duals and why he chose to attend Mason, among other topics.
You were named the Eastern Wrestling League's Co-Freshman of the Week for your 3-0 performance at the Virginia Duals, what does that award mean to you?
Anthony: It means a lot knowing that the entire conference and all of the coaches look at what everyone does. It's a good accomplishment but I'm looking to do bigger things throughout the season.
You wrestle against Cleveland State and Edinboro on Saturday, with both duals coming in hostile environments, how do you block out the crowd and focus on your match?
Anthony: I like to listen to music and then when it's time to wrestle I don't worry about anything outside of the mat. I'm just focused on getting a win.
The team recently won the Bronze Round of the Virginia Duals, what was your favorite moment about the entire experience?
Anthony: The caliber of competition. There were teams there like Iowa State and Arizona State who we don't normally get to face. It was good for us to have a chance to wrestle against Iowa State and a great opportunity.
Why did you pick to study and wrestle at George Mason University?
Anthony: My main criteria for school was location, I live in Baltimore so I'm not too far from home and my parents can come see me wrestle. Academics was a really big reason and the area is really nice too, I can go to Tyson's Corner and [Washington] D.C. and there's a better chance of finding jobs in this area.
Do you have a personal motto or quote that keeps you focused on getting better during practice or keeps you battling harder during matches?
Anthony: I'm pretty self-motivated but a motto that I tell myself whether I'm in matches, conditioning, or training, is “can't stop won't stop”. A lot of times when I'm in matches coaches tell me to get my shots up and to do this and do that, and I just tell myself that motto to keep pushing.
What's an example of you overcoming adversity either in High School or College, on or off the mat?
Anthony: My sophomore year of High School, I won the State Championship in the 120 pound weight class against a kid who was already a three-time state champion. The following year everyone said that it was a fluke and I wasn't that good, so I wanted to prove to myself that I was good enough to compete with the best in the state. I ended up getting injured with turf toe which was supposed to be a season long injury but I wrestled back and finished fifth in the State Championships. Then my senior year I ended up making it back to the finals so that was a big thing for me, proving to myself that I could do it.
Who is your favorite athlete and do you have a favorite sports team?
Anthony: My favorite athletes are Olympic freestyle wrestling champion Jordan Burrows and former Ravens safety Ed Reed. My favorite team is the Baltimore Ravens.
What does the George Mason Wrestling Program's motto the “Mason Way” mean to you?
Anthony: The Mason Way means to give it all you can for as long as you can. Whether it's in a match, training or studying, give your best period.
