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For Stanford wrestler Hunter Garvin, the past two seasons have been a story of remarkable ascent. Two trips to the NCAA Championships, two All-American honors, and an ACC title have firmly established him as one of the nation's elite at 165 pounds. But as he enters his redshirt junior year ranked #4 in the country, the two-time All-American is no longer satisfied with just reaching the podium. His focus has sharpened, evolving from hopeful aspiration to a clear, unwavering objective.
"I feel as if I am more prepared and ready to really chase after a real concrete goal that I have instead of settling for something okay or for low hanging fruit in the past," Garvin told TheZealot.
That concrete goal is nothing short of the pinnacle of collegiate wrestling.
After navigating the grueling, three-day marathon of the NCAA tournament twice, Garvin’s perspective has fundamentally shifted. The bright lights and immense pressure of the "big show," as he calls it, are no longer foreign territory. This experience has forged a new level of confidence and clarity for the 2025-26 season.
"This real concrete goal is just that of winning a national title for myself and helping bring back a team trophy to the Farm here at Stanford!" Garvin declared.
This ambition is a natural progression for an athlete on his trajectory. Last season, he posted an impressive 23-9 record and became Stanford's first-ever individual ACC champion at 165 pounds. But for Garvin, those achievements were stepping stones, proof of a potential he is now fully committed to realizing.
"I’ve experienced the big show... and humbly I’ve been through the long 3 days of wrestling and the All-American status that it’s no longer foreign to me," he explained. "I have been there before and so it just aids me in preparation for knowing what it takes to be a national champion."
To transform his championship goal into reality, Garvin is embracing a philosophy rooted in holistic dedication and unwavering effort. It’s not about a secret new move, but about perfecting the process and leaving no stone unturned.
"It’s just doing what’s right and not cutting any corners," Garvin stated. "Giving it our all and leaving it all out there every single time!"
For Garvin, this commitment extends beyond the wrestling room. It’s a comprehensive approach to nurturing his physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.
"It just looks like prioritizing the right things that need to be prioritized and making sure I’m taking care of my body, mind and soul," he said. "As well as just pushing myself beyond my barriers in those moments of practice because it will show in competition."
A core pillar of this foundation is his faith, which he credits as the driving force behind his dedication. "For me it’s just trusting God and trusting that he’s given me these gifts in wrestling and has put me here at Stanford for a reason," Garvin shared. "And just using all of it to the best of my ability and just working to glorify and honor HIM in all that I do in and out of wrestling."
Perhaps the most potent weapon in Garvin’s arsenal this season is his mindset. Amidst the intense pressure and physical demands of Division I wrestling, he has made a conscious decision to lead with joy.
"I’d say just making an effort to remain light hearted through everything and try to have fun and smile through everything," Garvin revealed. "Really just making everything fun because I am here because I Love this stuff! No one is forcing me to be here or do anything!"
This perspective, he believes, is the key to unlocking peak performance and fostering a winning culture among his teammates. He hopes to influence others with the "ideology of that we’re all here because we choose to be and because it’s fun to us and we enjoy this sport… so why not REALLY make the best of it and achieve as much as we possibly can!"
This "no pressure" philosophy doesn't imply a lack of intensity. Instead, it fuels it. By stripping away the external pressures, Garvin can focus on the pure love of competition.
"I try to treat every match as if they’re the same with the goal of wanting to dominate and score as many points as I can!" he said. "No pressure just doing what you Love with those who you Love!"
Garvin’s joyful but dominant approach will be tested early and often this season. His schedule is packed with high-stakes matchups that will be crucial in his campaign for a national title. Key bouts on the horizon include:
For Hunter Garvin, these are not obstacles but opportunities—chances to leave it all on the mat, to compete with joy, and to take another step toward the top of the podium. With a renewed mind, a concrete goal, and a deep love for his sport, the Stanford star is ready to chase greatness.
