Coming into the 2011-2012 wrestling season, Justin Reinsma set out with a goal for himself that many collegiate athletes strive for: an All-American ranking. Receiving this honor puts him in an elite group of athletes from Southwest Minnesota State University. He has become just the eighth Mustang to receive All-American honors at the Division II level, as well as the first since 2006.
“This ranking is at the top of my list of achievements. This was a big step in my college career,” said Reinsma.
Reinsma earned a seventh place finish at the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division II Championships in Pueblo, Colo. on March 9-10. Reinsma started the event off with a 6-0 loss to an Adams State (Colo.) wrestler. He rebounded with win by fall over a wrestler from Tiffin University (Ohio), then earned a 6-3 victory over a Central Oklahoma wrestler to earn his All-American status.
Reinsma earned a 6-2 win over an Ashland wrestler to earn his seventh place finish, following a 4-3 loss to a wrestler from Limestone College (N.C.). He came out of the event with a 3-2 record. Reinsma finished the 2011-2012 season with a record of 23-15. He holds a career record of 63-37.
“I started off the year kinda slow when I lost a few matches that I could have won. After the St. Cloud dual is when I felt that I really started to turn things around. I started being more physical on the mat and believing in myself that I was as good as anyone in the country,” said Reinsma.
Hard work in the off-season is key to Reinsma’s success.
“The last couple years I have worked the J. Robinson Intensive camps in the cities during the summer. It’s some of the best training that a college wrestler can attain,” said Reinsma.
After achieving this prestigious honor, Reinsma has no plans for stopping.
“My goal for this year was to All-American and now that I have accomplished this, my goal for next year is to become a national champion and a three-time All-American,” said Reinsma.