At No. 10 rank, Cal State Bakersfield wrestler AJ Ferrari is at 190 pounds. While adapting to the new changes, a year has passed since his debut for the team in the 2023-24 season. Overcoming a degrading three-year period, the current scenario of the team sees a bit of a difference. Is it so?

As mentioned by AJ in one of his recent interviews, the Bakersfield wrestler mentions the changes the team has undergone and Jake Andrews coming in as prime in the heavyweight position. Ready to showcase his dominance for Bakersfield, Ferrari’s interview highlight was the discussion with his coach Ernest James.

“Coach, Ernest James, it’s funny. He’s uh, just joking around. I actually run these. I love it because I get to compete here, and I run these bleachers 50 steps of these bleachers with Coach Ernest, James on my back 280 pounds. So that’s just amazing. You know? And then everyone, bleach, isn’t here, you know. I’m always hanging my waist to improve, you know. Um, yeah, I’m excited to finish off this year, strong. You know, I just can’t wait super, super excited to uh, finish off the year strong,” AJ Ferrari says.

A 190-pound wrestler carrying a 280-pound person—now that’s quite an unusual training happening in Cal State Bakersfield who is looking to emerge back this season. With AJ Ferrari making prominence with his top 10 rank as a DI wrestler, Bakersfield is up for an advantage with him on the roster.

His motivational moments of workouts and such training, however, add much more to his hard work for the team’s credibility and his individual prominence. Coming under Division I, wrestlers like him will compete across one of the 10 weight classes. The aim is for the national champion crown.

AJ Ferrari is taking the lead

It took two years for AJ Ferrari to return to the wrestling mat. The wrestler who finished four years on the team announced his return to Penn State to continue his eligibility and end his collegiate career with dominance. Making a shift from 174 to 184 pounds this season, what are the chances of him becoming a national champion, once again, under the team?

Ending the 2021-22 season with a perfect record of 10-0, he made his Olympic debut after being away for two years and returned as the top wrestler for the Oklahoma State Cowboys in the 2023-24 season.

From getting into quite an unexpected showdown against Stanford’s Nick Stemmet by 5-0, AJ Ferrari’s comeback return saw him with an extended 22-straight winning streak in matches. Missing out to appear for the Cliff Keen Invitational in Las Vegas saw him under the negative spotlight, but none couldn’t stay much as its relevance is much different today.

With some days left for any update on the 2025 NCAA Championship, the men’s wrestling bustling Division I is coming in with great hope for the NCAA wrestlers to give their best foot forward for the team representing their individual careers.