West Point, to thee
Trey Chalifoux, Wrestling
Hi my name is Trey Chalifoux and how I first got into wrestling is the classic story of when one door closes, another door opens.
I had been playing baseball and basketball since I was four years old, but found myself with a setback early on. I was cut from my travel basketball team in the fifth grade and if you know me, then you understand why that is not a huge shock, since I am only 5’3”.
I then had to figure out what sport I was going to do in the winter, and a family friend happened to be a club wrestling coach at the time. I decided to give it a try since my height, or lack thereof, would not be held against me.
At first wrestling was just something for me to do in between fall and spring baseball to get me out of the house. It was not until the eighth grade that I really fell in love with it. What I appreciated most was the individual aspect of the sport.
After a loss, I couldn't look around and blame any of my teammates for the outcome because I was the only one out there competing. The sport inherently made me more self-accountable. Once I realized that wrestling was a passion of mine, I truly started devoting my time and energy into it.
Every summer during high school I would spend the entire month of July away from home, training for the biggest freestyle wrestling tournament in the country in Fargo, N.D. It was at this tournament that I realized that I could wrestle at the collegiate level. The recruiting process was a stressful one, but I could not have been more sure of my decision in choosing Army.
My last four years wrestling for Army West Point greatly exceeded my expectations. Even though my career was cut short, I am extremely grateful for the four seasons I was able to experience.
I am leaving this program a better person than when I started. When I came on my visit, the bond the wrestling team shared really resonated with me, and I knew I wanted to be apart of it.
What I did not know was this bond was even stronger than what I imagined it was during that initial visit. West Point, and especially the lodge wrestling room, has grown to be my home.
I would like to thank everyone that made this journey possible for me.
To the Army fans, thank you for the endless support that you have given to our team the last four years.
To the coaching staff, thank you. I am forever in your debt for all of the life lessons you have taught me.
One of the greatest things I learned at West Point was during my first week of wrestling practice. I asked Coach Ward a question about a technique, and he told me to “figure it out”. At first I was upset and confused because I was not given an answer to my problem, but now, four years later, I am thankful for this lesson.
Many times you will be in a situation in life where you are confused and do not know where to turn, and that is when you have to get mentally tough and learn, adapt, make it possible to achieve your goal or accomplish the mission.
This is just one of many lessons I will carry with me. I am grateful that I was blessed with a coaching staff that truly put the athletes first and was an integral part in accomplishing our goals as athletes.
To my teammates, y’all were and still are the brothers that I never had. The bond we have forged through the many hours in The Lodge, I will forever cherish and will continue to miss for the rest of my life.
Continue to love each other because the people in the wrestling room will be the ones you will be with when you are at your lowest. Continue to be the "tough son of a gun from the farm" that Army wrestling is all about! I cannot wait to watch y’all continue to make history and raise the expectations this program has to a national level!
To my fellow seniors, it was a heck of a ride! I love each one of y’all as my brothers. We have made amazing memories on the mat, beating Navy all four years, and off the mat, all the countless country concerts we went to together and the memories made.
Although this ending is bittersweet, I am reassured that this is just one chapter in our journey together. I cannot wait to see what the future has in store for us, and I can’t wait to bring our kids back to West Point and relive our glory days together!
Love
Trey “Chilifox” Chalifoux
BHAW
To read all of the letters in the West Point, to thee series, please click this link.