Arundel junior wrestler Tyler Goodwin had a productive summer.  He made a trip to Brazil in July to compete in the Pan American Cadet Championships with Team USA.  

Goodwin went from an alternate to the gold medal winner in the 58-kilogram (127.75 pounds) freestyle weight class.  Last year, Goodwin was the state runner-up in the 125 weight class.

VSN: How long was the flight from Atlanta to Brazil? What did you do to occupy your time on that long flight?

The flight was 8-9 hours. But my plane had a touch screen TV on the back of the seat in front of me, so I played games on it for 9 hours straight.

VSN: Did you get a chance to sightsee in Brazil, if so what was your favorite place?

We did get too look around a lot. We got there and I was only wrestling freestyle which gave me two days to wonder around. The Amazon River was like a mile down the road tops so we got to see that. But I liked going in the Brazil market area, that was fun.

VSN: You were selected as an alternate on the U.S. team, did you think you would get the chance to wrestle or would be a reserve?

No, not at all.  I didn’t think I would wrestle on the team.  I think you had to win Fila Cadets in Akron, Ohio. I ended up not going to the tournament and my dad just got a random e-mail asking if I was up for it because of my achievements at Fargo [Tournament] the year before.

VSN: I heard a kid from another country stole your singlet? How did you get it back from him?

As bad as it sounds, I wasn’t there to play around or talk to my opponents until it was over.  Team Ecuador stole my singlet so I walked into their room and told me to give it back.  He [Dave Giron] acted like he didn’t steal anything and I couldn’t confront him about it because I’m not that good at Spanish. So I was in his room, I picked up two of their shirts and a warm up and walked out. And I said you’ll get it back when I get my singlet back.

VSN: Winning the title in Brazil, how did it feel? Did you get to stand on the podium as the American anthem played?

It felt great because when I saw the medals from Greco, I was dying to get a gold of my own.  And yes the National Anthem played as I stood on the podium.

VSN: Do you have any funny stories about the trip?

I guess a funny/ironic story was the kid that had stole my singlet was my second match. So I made that a physical match and went a little over aggressive.

VSN: You also wrestled in the AAU Junior Olympic Games in Virginia with other local area wrestlers, how did it go?

That was the most fun I have ever had a tournament. It was a last minute decision so I was thrown around weight classes.  I would go 130, 135, 130, 135.  I think I ended up 14-1.

VSN: How do you feel your summer helped you prepare for your upcoming season at Arundel?

I feel that I’m a better wrestler all around.  I think I’m stronger.  I’m still in shape from never getting a break.  And it’s a big confidence boost to go out of country and wrestle and win.

VSN: School starts in a few days, are you ready to get back to the grind of being a student athlete?

Yes, I have actually just finished my first week of my junior year and I think it’s going to be the best year yet. I love going to Arundel.

VSN: What is one thing that most people don’t know about you?

I’d say most people don’t know is that even though I do not play the sport, I practice lacrosse at my house more than I practice wrestling.