Shaker Heights High School senior Najee Lockett started wrestling when he was in the first grade and quickly learned that he had a knack for the sport. After his first year of competition, at only eight years old, he placed second in the state. Fast forward nine years and Najee found himself prominently featured on the podium again — last year, he was the Ohio High School Athletic Association State Wrestling Tournament runner-up in the 170-pound weight class.
Najee has remarkable focus for an 18-year-old. He admits to sacrificing the typical teenage social life so that he can focus on school and wrestling. An honors and AP student who has committed verbally to wrestle at Cornell University, Najee has one goal for wrestling this year: to be the state champion in the 170-pound weight class. Read more about Najee Lockett.
Tell us how you got started in wrestling.
I remember my grandparents talking to me about wrestling when I was in the first grade. But at first, I thought they were talking about the WWE, so all I could think about was how much pain was going to be inflicted on me! But then I realized that they were talking about something different and they shared how much history there is in my family with wrestling -- a majority of my uncles wrestled, and grandfather was a world-class wrestler — so then I decided that I would try it.
How hard is it to manage school, practice and your weight?
It’s not always easy. But my mindset is that I have choices to make with my social life, sports life and school life. I know that I have to sacrifice one of those to excel in the other two. So I have to be willing to pay the costs if I want to excel. I just ensure that I’m always willing to pay it.
Do you ever want to be a regular kid?
Sure. Some days, my emotional state is not conducive to wrestling. But I have to focus on how wrestling is helping me, how it’s serving me and all the benefits it’s giving me.
Speaking of benefits, did you know all along that you wanted to wrestle in college?
The ironic part of all this is that in the sixth grade, I went to Cornell for a wrestling camp. I remember that I came home with a Cornell hat and a Cornell sweater and I told everyone in my class that I wanted to go to Cornell. It was funny because after I committed last year, I had friends from my class reminiscing with me about that moment. After I committed, I thought about how amazing this was that something I talked about was coming true. I just kept thinking about what it means and what it can lead to.
What does it mean for you?
It would open so many doors for me in terms of a degree and in terms of the contributions I can make in wrestling.
What would you like to study at Cornell?
I’d like to study industrial and labor relations. I spent my summers washing dishes at Stratford Commons, an assisted living facility. That experience really gave me an appreciation for people who work in factories or on assembly lines. It’s an area of study that interests me and I think it’s one where I can make a difference.
So what’s your goal for wrestling this year?
My objective is to place first in the state tournament. I would be really ecstatic about winning, but my approach to it is that I’m going to work hard, and stay humble and ambitious about my objective.
What’s your favorite class?
Psychology -- it’s so interesting. We all apply our minds at school every day, but when you finally learn about how we think, it’s like opening a door to a room in your house that you didn’t know existed.
Who are the most influential people in my life?
My mom, grandparents, my uncles and Coach Wil Knight. My mom has always supported me in all of my endeavors and she has taught me, through her actions and her words, a lot of the things that I apply today. Sometimes I think that when I’m wrestling, I’m asserting a lot of dominance and strength --- and that’s a reflection of the wisdom of my mom.
What have you learned about yourself in all these years of wrestling?
About myself, I’ve learned that whenever I truly want something, I’m going to go after it. And about life, I’ve learned how easy it is to lose it all. When I’m on the mat, I could score ten points, but if my opponent pins me, then none of my points matter.