Forrest Christmann

SLIPPERY ROCK — Forrest Christmann doesn't just want to be the best.

He wants to be with the best.

The Slippery Rock High School senior wrestler took a step in that direction Wednesday by signing a letter of intent with Edinboro University.

The Fighting Scots have been ranked among the nation's top 25 in wrestling for the past 15 years. Edinboro has won 12 of the past 15 Eastern Wrestling League championships and 12 PSAC titles during that time.

“That's why I'm going there,” Christmann said.

Also a standout football player as a guard-defensive tackle at Slippery Rock, Christman was receiving interest from Iowa, Pitt and Penn State to pursue a collegiate career in that sport.

But he opted for wrestling.

“I decided to go with wrestling during the last couple of months. I like the one-on-one aspect of it, the physicality. ... It's a grind and it's a challenge,” Christmann said.

He will be the Rockets' heavyweight wrestler this season after going 37-4 at 220 pounds last season. Christmann's season ended at the regional meet.

He is 70-20 overall as a high school wrestler and has his eyes fixed on the big prize this year.

“My aim is a state championship. I feel like I can get there,” Christmann said.

No doubt, he's been working for it.

A member of the Pitt Wrestling Club, Christmann works out at Pitt two nights a week and has been training with Pitt's wrestlers and coaches.

He's done strength and conditioning work with former Pittsburgh Steeler lineman Jon Kolb. Former Grove City wrestler and Seneca Valley coach Tom Tomeo has worked with him and he's been attending wrestling camps at Edinboro since he was 8 years old.

“They've known Forrest for years up there,” said Edwin Christmann, Forrest's father and an assistant mat coach at Slippery Rock. “The coaches have watched him mature as a wrestler.

“At their camp this past summer, they had a tournament and Forrest won it. Some of the best wrestlers in the country were at that camp and in that tournament. That's when Edinboro's coaches really became interested in him.”

Edinboro athletic director Bruce Baumgartner was an Olympian at heavyweight. Christmann has attended his camps as well.

“The prospect of Bruce Baumgartner working with Forrest ... He'll bring the best out of him,” Coach Christmann said. “Their coaches are looking forward to that and so are we.”

Christmann had 25 pins last season and said he's relied on physical strength on the mat in recent years. He weighs 251 pounds right now.

“Now I'm getting to the point where I'm more technical with my skills,” the wrestler said. “I've learned a lot.”

Christmann plans to major in criminal law. He becomes the second Slippery Rock High School wrestler to accept a Division I scholarship. The other was Jeff Becker (Old Dominion).

“Edinboro is unique in that wrestling is the prime sport on campus,” Coach Christmann said. “They get big crowds at their meets and it's a great atmosphere. That will be exciting.”