Athlete of the Week: John Dee

Many people speak of top athletes as if they were born with a “gift.” These types of folk believe that somehow, out of pure chance perhaps, an athlete is simply given an ability to excel. They believe that most top athletes are simply “born with talent.”

The trouble with the “born with talent” mindset is that it can severely hinder the athlete not “born” with talent. However it has been proven time and time again that an athlete can excel at any sport he or she chooses-granted the athlete possesses a definite aim or goal and a burning desire to achieve it.

Failure is not an option for athletes with a definite goal and fire in their eyes.

Such is the case with John Dee, who began wrestling as a sophomore and lost his first 20 matches. However Dee persevered to become one of the top wrestlers in Massachusetts.

Would you, after trying something new and failing 20 times in a row, continue fighting?

Due to his determination and unwillingness to accept failure, Plymouth Patch has chosen John Dee of Plymouth North as Athlete of the Week. 

1) How did you become involved in wrestling? What drew you to the sport?

Well my sophomore year I was introduced to the sport By Kevin Farrell. My football coach wanted me to wrestle to get better in football. The thing that drew me to the sport is how either you win or lose-there is no team-it is only you on the mat and no one else.

2) What is your favorite moment in your wrestling career? Could you describe it for me?

My favorite moment of my wrestling career was when I beat my first ranked opponent. It was at the Marshfield tournament. North Andover's Adam Bates was ranked second in all of Mass. at the time, so no one believed that I could win. I wrestled the smartest match I ever wrestled. Then I found my self in quadruple overtime with the chance to win. I had 30 seconds and all I had to do was stand up to win. I knew he could not hold me down the entire match so I just gave it my all and won. Winning that match gave me the confidence to go into any match knowing I have a chance to win. That win let me go to the finals of the tournament, and I was then finally a ranked wrestler.

3) What was the most challenging moment in your wrestling career?

The most challenging moment in my wrestling career was my first year as a wrestler. I was 0-20 before gaining my first ever wrestling win. It was hard because I wanted to help my team get points, but I had no experience and no confidence. I almost quit the sport but I decided to stay with it because I know wrestling would benefit me in the long run. I ended that season with a 6-20 record-winning six in a row to end the season.

4) What is your life like outside of wrestling? Do you play any other sports? What do you enjoy doing?

My life outside of wrestling is mostly training at the gym and doing school work. The other sports I play are football and outdoor track and field. I enjoy lifting weights, chilling with my friends, and practicing for the sport I am participating at the time.

5) What motivates you?

The one and only thing that motivates me is someone else training harder than me.  That is what I think about when I train for a match. Thinking about that one kid that is training harder than me makes me mad. If I was to lose a match, the only way I would accept it is if the kid I faced is truly better than me. I don't want to be someone’s-upset that would drive me crazy.

6) What are your plans for after graduation? What are your career goals?

Well right now I am going to Mass Maritime bearing any scholarships from Norwich University. I am trying to major in Marine Transportation at Mass Maritime. After college I would like to work eight months of the year driving a ship. During my free time I would like to coach high school and youth sports, like wrestling or football.

7) What's on your iPod these days?

My iPod is full of different kinds of music including rock, rap, country and metal. My favorite bands are Alter Bridge, Avenged Sevenfold, Creed, Disturbed and Breaking Benjamin. But before matches I listen to the "Rocky IV" mix. My favorite song is "Metalingus" by Alter Bridge.

8) Anyone to whom you would like to say thank you?

Yes, I would like to thank my parents Maryann and Bob Dee for always supporting me through all my years in sports and school. I would like to thank all my football coaches and my track coaches. But for wrestling, I would like to first thank the man that got me involved with the sport-Kevin Farrel. I would like to thank my first coaches Mike Grimes and Ryan Cook-without them there is no way I would be as good as I am. I would also like to thank Mike Roncarati, Eric Johnson and Bobby Lewis. I was honored to have such a great line of coaches and there would be no way I would have made it as far as I have without them. I thank all the coaches I have ever had in sports. Because of them all I am the person I am now-a competitor and a great person.