WINNEMUCCA - Lowry High School standout wrestler Michael Billingsley had a number of opportunities to further his career after high school.
Billingsley, a senior, took a number of trips to colleges across the United States but found a home in Colorado after his nomination was approved and he was appointed to the United States Air Force Academy.
"After my visit I felt I got along with the guys well and my aunt lives in Denver," Billingsley said. "Colorado would be more like home for me. I would be a long ways away from home if I went to Navy or Drexel."
Before a student can be considered for appointment to the United States Air Force Academy, they must obtain a nomination. A nomination does not guarantee appointment to the academy; however, no appointment can be offered without one.
The majority of applicants to the academy obtain nominations in the Congressional and Vice Presidential categories. The academy also reserves a select number of cadet appointments for nominees in the Military Affiliated, U.S. Territory and International categories.
"It was an actually a big decision for me and I had to think about it a lot," Billingsley said. "It is a pretty big commitment and I won't be home much. I am excited about what I can do at Air Force and I am happy with the decision I made."
Billingsley made trips throughout the school year to the United States Naval Academy, Drexel University in Philadelphia, Penn., and Northern Colorado. However, he decided on Air Force after his nomination was approved.
Billingsley's commitment to the Air Force Academy is for five years of school and eight years of service afterward, five of which includes active duty, while the remaining three can be served as inactive reserve. He plans on majoring in political science at the school.
"It will be good for me and sets me up for the future," Billingsley added. "They have a pretty good political science department."
Just recently, Billingsley was named an Academic All-American by the National High School Coaches Association for the 2012-13 school year.
The senior became just the second Lowry High School wrestler to win four individual state championships. Billingsley was 189-19 in his four years as a Buckaroo and was an all-sate academic selection for three years of his high school career. He is ranked No. 16 in the senior class at Lowry. He battled a knee injury earlier this year but came back after surgery to claim his fourth title. Lowry has won five state championships in a row as a team, with Billingsley being a part of four of those teams.
He was also a three-year starter for the Lowry football team, helping the Buckaroos to three consecutive state semifinal appearances against Moapa Valley. Billingsley was a running back his sophomore and senior seasons and was the quarterback his junior year. He played the linebacker position on defense.
In addition, he was a member of the track and field team, primarily pole vaulting for the Buckaroos.
While at Air Force, Billingsley will also wrestle for the Falcons.
"The biggest thing is I get to continue to wrestle," he added. "It is a huge jump from high school, but I am excited about the opportunity I will have."
Air Force is a member of the Mountain West Conference in most sports except wrestling. The Mountain West doesn't affiliate itself with wrestling.
The Falcons are part of the Western Regional Conference, along with North Dakota State, South Dakota State, Northern Colorado, Utah Valley and University of Wyoming. Air Force had three wrestlers advance to the NCAA Division I Championships in Des Moines, Iowa.
"I am going from being a four-time state champion at high school to a freshman in college," Billingsley said. "I met all the coaches and they were all helpful in getting me through the application process."
Billingsley will spend his first year in the prep school, but noted he will still be able to get a number of wrestling matches in.
From there he will have to earn a spot on the team though wrestle-offs against teammates.
"It's almost like a redshirt year," Billingsley said. "The coaches said they expect me to be wrestling."
Billingsley said the thing he is looking forward to the most is the experience of the Air Force Academy and the opportunity to serve for his country.
"I like every aspect of it," he added. "It's something I feel proud about. I think I would like to be a pilot after a graduate. I would love to fly a jet."
Billingsley is the son of Tim and Susan Billingsley.[[In-content Ad]]
