Gage Wentzel: When Academics and Athletics Meet

Gage Wentzel is a student-athlete with dreams of pursuing his post-secondary education and wrestling career at a Division 1 school. As any serious athlete knows, practice and dedication to your sport are extremely important, especially when you are chasing scholarship opportunities. Learn how Gage is using the flexibility of digital learning to allow him the time he needs to focus on the sport he loves — wrestling. Gage tells his story below.

"Sports are not always for everyone; however, in my case, wrestling is very important to me.

I have been competing in wrestling for as long as I can remember. During my high school years, the level of competition has increased, so I need to train harder and more often. To date, I have been able to place 5th, 4th, and most recently 2nd at the state tournament. Wrestling in Pennsylvania is taken very seriously, and the state is known for having the most difficult level of competition in the country.

After graduation, I plan to wrestle collegiately at the Division 1 level. To be considered for this level of competition, a great deal of training is involved. I practice one or two times per day, in addition to a very intense lifting schedule.

To accomplish this, I need a flexible school schedule. Therefore, my family and I decided I would complete my last two years of high school through Lincoln Learning. The flexible school setting offered through Lincoln Learning has helped me tremendously, by allowing me to reach the goals that I have established for myself academically, as well as athletically.

I have been contacted by many colleges and have taken several official college visits. Although I have not yet made up my mind about where I will attend college, I am hopeful to receive a full athletic scholarship to a D1 school in the fall of 2026."