Zane Retherford was ready to start a new life. The three-time NCAA wrestling champion at Penn State visited Nittany Lion Wrestling Club coach Cody Sanderson last November and said, “You know what? I think I'm done.” The next month, Retherford accepted a part-time job at an investment firm in New York. He had won a world title in 2023, but was fed up with his weight loss process and was relieved by his decision. generally.
However, in early 2024, NLWC staff presented Retherford with a weight management plan in preparation for competing in the 2024 Summer Olympics. Retherford, who weighed 70 kg in international wrestling, could drop to 65 kg by the time the U.S. Olympic Wrestling Team Trials will be held at State University in April. And Retherford hadn't given up his Olympic hopes just yet. So he accepted, winning the Olympic Trials title in the 65kg weight class and one event away from qualifying for Paris.
“Originally, I had accepted the job in New York City and was planning on moving there in January, but my heart was just wrenching,” Retherford said at his trial in April. “I couldn't explain it. I said to her wife, 'I have to talk to someone in charge.' [people at his new company], and I said I still want to compete. What does it look like, how can I make this work? They were very flexible, so yeah, it wasn't until January that I made up my mind. Let's do this. Enjoy it. “
Four months later, Retherford is about to try his hand at wrestling in his first Olympics. He won the men's freestyle 65kg division at the U.S. Olympic Trials, but he must compete in one more event to qualify for Paris. Retherford will compete on May 9th and 10th at a two-day qualifying event in Istanbul to qualify for the U.S., and by extension, himself, in the 65kg weight class. If he finishes in the top three, Retherford will qualify for his first Olympic Games.
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Retherford, a two-time Hodge Trophy winner at Penn State, has been wrestling freestyle for six years, having last won an NCAA title in 2018. He broke out last season when he won the Pan American Championship and his first world title. Retherford won both championships in the 70kg weight class, a weight class that does not exist in the six Olympic freestyle weight classes.
In order to represent the United States at the Olympics, Retherford had to make a decision. He can move up to the 74kg weight class or drop to 65kg. That means fighting 11 pounds lighter than in 2023. Retherford was reluctant. He hadn't wrestled at 65kg in a while and was frustrated with how his body was feeling at the time. That made him think about retiring. NLWC Coaching and Training then devised a strategy for Retherford to maintain his 65 kg of fitness and strength.
”[Cody Sanderson] He gave me a strategy: “If it's still itchy, it's okay to do it.'' You can gain weight,'' Retherford said, “and I have faith in that.''
After dominating NLWC teammate Nick Lee in the best-of-three championship series, Retherford said the weight plan changed his outlook. “It was weird, but it was fun losing weight,” he said. “It was tough, but it was fun. I feel like I was able to experience a lot of things. I'm grateful.”
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Mr. Retherford joined ABR Dynamics in December as a part-time sales representative. In a news release announcing Retherford's hiring, the company said, “Zayn was able to work toward his MBA degree at Penn State while simultaneously training and competing for a world gold medal. Knowing this, I am confident that he will continue to be successful.” He would like to focus on realizing his Olympic dream while preparing for a career in the financial industry. ”
Before working full-time in the financial industry, Retherford is pursuing another chance at the Olympics.
“I'm just doing my best,” Retherford, 28, said at trial. “I didn't know if today was going to be my last time playing. I'm just grateful for every opportunity I've been given and I'm making the most of it.”
AllPennState is your destination for Penn State news, opinions and perspectives on the SI.com network. Publisher Mark Wogenrich has covered Penn State for more than 20 years, tracking three coaching staffs, three Big Ten titles, and an impressive catalog of articles. Follow him on Twitter @MarkWogenrich.