Division 1, better known as D1, is the highest athletic level in college with the most competition. These schools have the biggest athletic budgets and most demanding schedules. It offers the most national exposure and potential for pro careers.
Griffin VanTichelt, a D1 commit to Purdue for wrestling, explains the rarity of being a division 1 athlete. “D1 is the highest level of wrestling,” VanTichelt said. “In football, you have the NFL, but for wrestling, college is the top. There are only 250 D1 athletes for wrestling, so it’s cool to be part of that small percent that make it to that next level.”
D2 is less competitive and has more of a balance between sports and academics. D3 schools focus most on the student part of student-athlete and are the least competitive of these levels.
It is important to get committed as early as possible in high school to give athletes time to build relationships with coaches and improve their performance. Competition increases significantly from high school to D1.
“I am excited to compete at a higher level,” Paige Liezert, who committed to Miami University in Ohio for softball, said.
CPHS provides athletes with the essentials they need to go D1 through the coaches and resources. “Coach Swan has really built my basketball IQ,” Mason Darrell, who is committed to Bellarmine University for basketball, said. “He shows us new ways to have an effect on the game. The resources we have in the school change everything when it comes to recruiting. Being part of a team that has won back to back sectionals and regionals helps because college coaches love winners.”
Crown Point has a strong athletics program and that is shown through the D1 athletes they are producing.