UNI Wrestling: Drew Foster Uses Power of Confidence

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – UNI wrestling's Drew Foster knows the power of confidence.

No. 14 Foster won his 30^th career match last Sunday after a tough loss to Iowa State's No. 10 Patrick Downey.

"I feel like I don't really ever feel down on myself," Foster said. "I'm always confident. Like last year, I was wrestling a kid and got the first couple of takedowns, and he turned around and beat me on a tech fall. I just remember being in the tunnel with the coaches and just trying to cool down. I told the coaches I could beat that guy. I'm not cocky or anything like that, but I'm confident in what I can do and believe in myself one hundred percent."

Foster's confidence helps motivate him to be successful.

"I just want to be successful and be good at everything I do. I've never really settled at being bad at something. I want to win a MAC championship, and I want the team too as well. I also want to make it to nationals, become an All-American and win a national title," Foster said.

The coaches and Foster developed a routine for him to be successful.

"Last year was my first year in the lineup, and I changed up my routine a lot and didn't really have a consistent one. I got one down this year where I'm coming in about two pounds over before weigh-ins, then I get my weight off and then weigh-in. After that, I'll fuel up and get a couple shots in with my guys to get the blood flowing and then sit and watch the dual." Foster said.

The routine has helped Foster become consistent, but he contributes his success to his teammates.

"My teammates are there for me and are my supporting cast. They look to pick me up," said Foster. "The guys in the room are just pushing each other and getting those extra workouts in. We're trying to do everything right from school to lifestyle. When you have a good lifestyle it will reflect your wrestling."

Family also has had an impact on Foster's life.

"My family has done so much for me. I owe them a lot. They come to most of my matches. When I have struggles or adversity, I lean on my family. I talk to my mom about every day. She's awesome," Foster said.

Although Foster is confident in his ability to wrestle, he realizes that it is tough wrestling at this level.

"It's been real humbling experience, because you go from being the top dog in high school to UNI where you may not get a takedown for weeks at a time. So it's humbling, because it's like I'm not a big deal. I have to work for success," Foster said.

He applies the same work ethic to wrestling as he does to school. Foster is studying elementary and middle level education with an emphasis in mathematics.

"It's just about going to class and doing the work. You have to be a student before you can be an athlete. Coaches really stress that you are here for an education. There's three pyramids with school, social life and wrestling and you have to work on them to have them all strong to be successful," said Foster.

Foster keeps the balance by spending time with teammates and getting to know a lot of people around campus.

"I love it here. It's a small campus. So it's awesome to get around and when I walk into classes, I see so many people I know. So it's cool. My teammates and I like to go to a lot of movies or just hang out at my house," said Foster.

The team is a close-knit group that thrives on a group effort of leadership.

"I think we have a whole bunch of guys who lead us. The coaches stress that it is our team, so we take that leadership. They don't want to have a leash on us and want to be able to trust us. We have team meetings where we talk to members who need to straighten up or tell them what they're doing good. We also have our older guys like Cooper Moore where he really stands out," said Foster. "We are a young team, and we have guys stepping up and saying what needs to be said."

Foster feels like he has prepared himself for the duration of the season by moving up in weight and feeling fresher than the competitors.

"The coaches make the final decisions about where I should be wrestling at, but it's about me still growing. I do cut weight a little bit, but it's not a problem. I feel really good, and I perform better. I like wrestling where I'm at rather than cutting weight," said Foster. "Some of the guys at the end of the season are like 'Oh crap, when is this going to be over?' and I don't ever feel that or have that effect like they do."

The end of the season for some wrestlers nationwide will be the NCAA qualifying meets at conference championships nationwide. As the host school for the MAC championships, Foster believes Northern Iowa will have an advantage.

"Here, we have our own facilities and our own beds, and it'll be nice. I think it'll be an advantage for us just because we will be comfortable with it," said Foster. "The dual against Oklahoma in the McLeod Center will help us get a taste of what it'll be like for us in conference championships."

UNI is on the road until the Oklahoma dual. The Panthers will host the Sooners noon Feb. 5. It will be the first time the Panthers have competed in the McLeod Center since 2009.

Wrestling teams can get in free by emailing their rosters to MilkeR@uni.edu. Deadline is Feb. 1.

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UNI Wrestling: Drew Foster Uses Power of Confidence

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Drew Foster

Cooper Moore

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