Covey Austin is a biology major at Wilkes University and is a heavyweight wrestler for the men’s wrestling team.

Q: What was the driving force behind your decision to come to Wilkes?

A: I really wanted to wrestle in school and my parents wanted me to go someplace that they were able to see me wrestle without traveling too far. My father actually attended this school, so I knew what the campus was like and was familiar with what was located around campus. Also, I liked how science focused this university is.

Q: Post-graduation plans in terms of a Career?

A: My plan is to continue my education and get a master or even a doctorate in biology.  I would also like to do biological fieldwork if at all possible.

Q: What are your hopes for your sophomore season as a Colonel?

A: My personal hope is that I become an academic All American. My team hope is to win National Duels.

Q: When/Why did you first begin wrestling?

A: The first time I wrestled was in 6th grade when I decided to go out for the sport because my football coach asked me to. I have never looked back since.

Q: If you had to choose one thing about Wilkes’ [Sport] Program that you could improve, what would it be?

A: I would ask to get more support from our peers at all of our athletic events.

Q: Do you have other sports/interest/hobbies off of the field?

A: I enjoy hanging out with my friends and playing video games.

Q: Who would you say, is the most influential person in your life?

A:I would say that the most influential people in my life are my parents. My father and mother have always supported me through the ups and downs in my career. They picked me up from practice late at night and drove me to practice early in the morning. They were always there to push me in sports and in school and I love them.

Q: A quote you live your life by?

A: “Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.” – Thomas A. Edison

Q:What does “Be Colonel” mean to you?

A: Be Colonel means to be the type of person to do the right thing no matter who is or isn’t watching.

Q: If you could have dinner with a famous person from the past, who would it be?

A: I would have dinner with Charles Darwin. Being a biology major I think it would be an awesome thing to talk to him about the study of biology and inform him just how big of an impact his work has on biology and the world.