A resident of Hopewell, NJ, Ben Markulec is working toward a BS in mechanical engineering at the Virginia Military Institute under a U.S. Army ROTC Scholarship. While at Hopewell Valley Central High School in Pennington, NJ, Ben Markulec lettered four years as a varsity wrestler and was senior captain. He was also a two-time Mercer County champion.

There are numerous benefits to wrestling. One of the oldest sports in the world, it emphasizes control and discipline, not violence. Wrestling develops balance, reflexes, and agility, and strength in all primary muscle groups. Through wresting, athletes develop qualities including a strong work ethic, leadership skills, and self-esteem. Much of what is learned through wrestling can be applied to everyday life.

Wrestling teaches individuals to work through exhaustion and mental and physical pain, as well as about setting goals and how to reach them. It teaches people to overcome fear, disappointment, and failure. Wrestling also improves a person’s social development, through being part of a team and encouraging and getting encouragement from team members. At competitions, players also get to meet and interact with players from other teams.