PORT ANGELES — Port Angeles state-class wrestler Brian Cristion will continue his career in the Midwest, a hot-bed for college wrestling.
Cristion, a two-time Class 2A state placer, signed a letter of intent to attend Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa.
Cristion will wrestle for the Cornell Rams coached by Mike Duroe.
The Roughrider received scholarship support as part of his signing, one of which was the Richard Keeler Scholarship in recognition of his academic achievements and leadership potential.
“In particular,” Cornell interim Dean of Admission Jim Brown wrote in a congratulatory letter to Cristion, “the [scholarship] committee was impressed by your commitment to performing at a high level both academically and athletically.
“You exemplify the quality of student-athlete who has contributed to Cornell’s proud athletic tradition and top-15 national ranking of NCAA postgraduate scholars.”
Cristion plans to study engineering or law, and is one of two students in the Port Angeles wrestling program under coach Erik Gonzalez who has or will compete at the college level.
Nathan Cristion, 2011 Port Angeles graduate and brother of Brian Cristion, now wrestles for the University of Dubuque, Iowa.
In a ceremony held Wednesday in the school’s Student Center, Cristion was honored by family, friends, Gonzalez and athletic director Dwayne Johnson.