Great athleticism and a competitive spirit led 2017 Oxford High graduate Byron Schlickenmeyer to become one of the top wrestling performers of his class.

Now, Schlickenmeyer is hoping the same traits that helped him dominate on the mat while at OHS can elevate him again when he attends the U.S. Olympic Training Site at Northern Michigan University in the fall.

The U.S. Olympic Training Site at Northern Michigan University, located in Marquette, is one of just three training centers located in the U.S.

Schlickenmeyer was recently selected to attend the center’s wrestling program and signed a letter of intent, committing himself to the program.

“It feels great,” said Schlickenmeyer during a letter of intent ceremony held last week. “I want to improve on everything. It’s going to be very hard wrestling up there with the Olympic team and I’m just excited to learn as much as I can.”

Schlickenmeyer finished the 2016-17 season with a 37-7 record and wraps up his high school wrestling career with 101 wins and 41 losses.

He was also one of eight Oxford High wrestlers who qualified for and competed during the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) state championships, held in March.

Schlickenmeyer, who weighs 215 and often competed against heavyweight competitors as an OHS varsity wrestler, said he’s excited to take his wrestling career as far as he can and can’t wait to chase his Olympic dreams.

“I love wrestling,” he said. “I’ve done it my whole life, so I figured why stop here?”

There are currently 55 athletes enrolled in the program, according to NMU-OTS Wrestling Head Coach Rob Hermann.

In 2012, six of the seven champions at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in Greco-Roman wrestling were previously athletes with the NMU-OTS Greco-Roman program, according to Hermann. Three out of the six competing in the 2016 trials have also wrestled in the program.

“Our room is pretty high caliber,” Hermann added. “Our main goal get them to the world teams and get them ready for the senior level and ready to make the Olympic team… Our (program) is a feeder for the higher level.”

Athletes of the NMU-OTS attend NMU while training in their respective sports. Students who attend the program receive free or reduced room and board, access to training

facilities, sports medicine service, along with academic tutoring by NMU.

The wrestling program at NMU-OTS focuses exclusively on the Greco-Roman wrestling style. In Greco-Roman, wrestlers can only perform takedowns by attacking an opponent’s upper body. Below-the-waist attacks are prohibited.

Former varsity wrestling coach Paul McDevitt added that it was Schlickenmeyer’s embrace of this style of wrestling which often led him to success during matches.

“(Greco-Roman) suits his style very well. He, as a bigger guy… most of his technique and style had to do with upper body wrestling. That’s where he excels,” said McDevitt.

According to McDevitt, Schlickenmeyer helped carry the team in the last season as the team’s senior captain.

“I’m very proud of Byron,” said McDevitt. “He’s meant a lot to our wrestling program throughout his time in high school. As the big guy on our team, he really carried the load for us at the upperweight level and did a great job for us… I’m really excited about this opportunity he has to train with the Olympian (athletes) and I’m hoping that he takes it as far as he can take it.”

Along with advancing himself as a wrestler, Schlickenmeyer also plans to study business management at NMU.