“Biting My Fingers Off”: Zain Retherford’s Tear Down for Paris Olympics Qualifier Had Penn State Assistant Wrestling Coach in Shivers

Zain Retherford’s incredible road to the Paris Olympics qualification was a whirlwind of nerve-wracking contests and rigorous training. Nick Lee, the assistant wrestling coach at Penn State, vividly recounted the experience in an episode of the “BASCHAMANIA” podcast, which is hosted by Justin Basch. Retherford struggled through the qualifiers, showing his commitment, leaving his coach and supporters on tenterhooks.

Retherford’s performance resulted from more than just his prowess on the mat; it was also a reflection of his constant work ethic and his coaches’ solid support network. Lee stated, “He (Zain Retherford) made it through, made weight the next day, and dude, four good matches, four good opponents.” Lee continued, “Zain might be the toughest dude in the world,” describing the emotion of Retherford’s experience. Nick Lee’s description provides an insight into the pressure that wrestlers and their coaches endure in the high-stakes realm of competition.

Additionally, the coaching staff suffered from the high pressure of the tournament. Lee recounted, “I do not act well whenever my guys are competing.” Noting the nervousness nail-biting finishes in matches, Lee further added, “I’m nervous. I don’t usually watch, but in that situation, I had no choice. So I’m like watching and biting my fingers off. It was rough”. Coaches’ emotional investment in their athletes’ adventures is highlighted by this open revelation.

Retherford’s performance in the qualifiers was an outcome of his perseverance and his coaches’ powerful backing. Lee noted, “Zain was on a mission,” highlighting the careful preparation and strategic thinking that went into his performance. The Penn State coaching staff was key in making sure Retherford was prepared for every game. Lee remarked, “Those guys learned something about Zain that day,” assessing the worth of Retherford’s effort. However, his success and drive dates back to Pennsylvania.

Zain Retherford’s early life success and struggles

Zain Retherford’s odd background is responsible for his drive to succeed. Retherford was raised on a Pennsylvania pumpkin farm, where he was taught the importance of effort at a young age. In a conversation, the 29-year-old stated, “Growing up on a pumpkin farm taught me hard work, and it taught me not to take wrestling for granted because there is harder work out there”. He developed a work ethic from these early teachings that would be invaluable to him throughout his wrestling career.

Before transitioning to Benton High School in his junior year, he went on to collect an 84-3 record. Retherford was ruled out of the 2011–12 season as a result of his move. This is when Retherford began to truly focus and develop as a wrestler, according to his high school coach Russ Hughes. He won his second Pennsylvania state championship as a senior, compiling an undefeated 47-0 record. He won the 65-kilogram Cadet World Freestyle Championship after the season. With a 131–3 record and 2x PIAA state championships, he graduated from high school.

Moreover, a significant factor in developing Retherford’s resilience was his time in high school. His mental fortitude was put to the test at Line Mountain High School when he was the target of bullying from other classmates. Despite these obstacles, Retherford was a successful wrestler who garnered recognition and interest from esteemed universities such as Cornell, Stanford, and Harvard. Before his subsequent success in the global arena, he demonstrated his willingness to persevere in the face of difficulty and maintain focus on his objectives.