Watkins Match-by-Match
2019-20: Took fourth at the Cougar Clash, featuring a major decision over Little Rock's James Johnson... faced one of the Big Ten's toughest weight classes and got three conference wins... recorded his first dual win against Indiana's Nick Willham
2018-19 (at Missouri): Went 17-10 in junior season…went 5-1 at the UNI Open…went 4-0 at the South Beach Individual…started in one dual for Missouri at 184 pounds…recorded one pin, two technical falls and five major decisions
2017-18 (at Missouri): Went 5-4 in sophomore season, making one dual start and placing in one open tournament at 174 pounds…Finished first at 174 pounds at the Roger Denker Open following a 4-0 performance which included a 12-3 major decision over Concordia’s Tyler Jorgensen and a fall (1:06) over NE Oklahoma’s Jacob Mintzmyer
2016-17 (at Missouri): Went 12-13 while making two dual starts and placing in two open tournaments in first season as an attached wrestler…Opened the season with a third place finish at 174 pounds at the Maryville Brand Kaufman Open, finishing the tournament with a 5-1 record…Made dual debut for the Tigers against Kent State’s Jairod James, falling 4-0…Placed fourth at the Roger Denker Open, following a 3-2 performance which included one win by technical fall
2015-16 (at Missouri): Complied 11-7 record as an unattached wrestler, competing in four open tournaments at 165 pounds…Took second at the Missouri Valley College Open, scoring two technical falls on the way to the finals match.
High School: Won a pair of back-to-back state titles as a junior and a senior…Captured the 2014 Kansas state championship at 160 pounds…Secured the 2015 Kansas state title at 170 pounds with a 3-1 decision, scoring a takedown in the final minute of the third period to earn a dramatic victory…Finished his high school career with 150 individual wins…Went 40-1 as a senior
Off the Mat with Taylor
Where is your favorite place on campus? The Terrace
Why did you choose Wisconsin? I’m a big cheese guy
Where is your go-to study spot? My couch
What is your major? ELPA Masters Program
What are your post-college plans? Hopefully join the Army Physicians Assistant program
Who is your favorite school to wrestle against? Minnesota
When did you begin wrestling? Four years old
What is one word that describes this team? Special
Favorite Coach Bono saying: “Let’s go!”
What is your dream as a collegiate wrestler? National title
Does the team have a nickname for you? T-Wat
What is your favorite song to sing in the car? Walk by Pantera
If you had a completely free day, how would you choose to spend it? Watch football with my dog
If you could have dinner with any three people, dead or alive, who would you choose? David Goggins, Tim Tebow, George Strait
Who is your favorite athlete in any sport? Von Miller
What is your favorite sports team? Denver Broncos
What other sports did you play growing up? Football, Baseball, Golf
