Long Journey Has Paid Off For Anthony DesVigne

He didn't step on a wrestling mat until the eighth grade and never placed in the state tournament during an undistinguished high school career.

And still Anthony DesVigne opted to join one of the most successful college programs in the country as a walk-on, knowing the odds were stacked against him ever being more than a practice partner.

But persistence, an unwavering work ethic and steady improvement has turned the Central Oklahoma senior into an All-American and the 174-pounder looks to cap his fairytale story with a national title in the NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships that unfold Friday and Saturday in Wichita, Kan.

It's been a long voyage filled with many pitfalls and moments of self-doubt, but DesVigne stayed the course and is finally reaping the benefits.

"I played every sport growing up and wrestling was the last one I tried," said DesVigne, who grew up in Riverside, Calif. "Once I got to high school I decided to stick with wrestling, even though I didn't have the success that a lot of guys did."

DesVigne's family moved to Edmond when he was a senior and he finished his prep career at Edmond North High School, qualifying for the state tournament as a 145-pounder. And that was going to be the end of his wresting career.

Anthony was staying in Edmond to study in UCO's world-renowned forensics program and North assistant coach David James – yes, the same David James who led the Bronchos to 12 national titles during a legendary 34-year career from 1982-2016 – encouraged Anthony to join Central's wrestling team.

"Coach James got me Coach (Todd) Steidley's number, so I called him up and just walked on," DesVigne said. "It's been a battle. I wasn't too sure what I was getting myself into at the time, but once I did it I said I'm gonna stick with it."

Improvement came in small increments, but DesVigne kept plugging away and his progress was steady.

Anthony redshirted his first year in 2018-19, wrestling in several open tournaments at 149 pounds, then went 11-12 while competing at 157 and 165 the following season.

That 2019-20 season is when DesVigne realized he might actually have a chance to succeed on the college level.

"My redshirt freshman year at National Duals our '65 pounder got hurt and so I bumped up to fill in for the next dual," DesVigne said. "I was wrestling like the sixth- or eighth-ranked guy in the country and beat him pretty good (11-6 over Notre Dame's No. 8 Alonzo Turner). That really helped my confidence and I thought 'I can do this if I keep working.'"

There was still a long road ahead in becoming the established starter. DesVigne saw little action during the COVID-shortened 2021-22 season, then went 15-10 as a part-time starter in 2021-22.

But DesVigne stayed the course, sure that he was on the cusp of stepping to the forefront.

"I could see improvement," Anthony said. "I'm a trust-the-process type. I know I didn't have the credentials of other guys, but I could see the improvement throughout the years. I constantly saw me beating better guys and that helped me get going and I knew eventually I would get my shot."

That opportunity came last season and DesVigne seized it.

He started the season as UCO's top 184-pounder before dropping to 174 in the second semester and put together a 31-8 record that included 13 bonus-point wins. DesVigne cruised to the Regional IV championship and finished seventh at the national tournament in earning All-America honors to help UCO capture its 16th national title.

"That validated all the work I did the four years before that," DesVigne said of becoming an All-American. "That was a proud moment, especially not having any accolades in high school or college to that point. It was worth all the early morning training sessions, all the extra workouts. You're doing all this extra work and not seeing any reward and finally I did.

"And we won the team title. I felt like I was on top of the world."

DesVigne could have walked away from the sport after that. He was set to graduate with a forensic science and criminal justice degree at the end of the spring semester, but he also an extra year of eligibility since the NCAA didn't count the shortened 2020-21 season.

"I wasn't too sure I wanted to come back just because I was going to be done with school and thought maybe it was time to move on to the next chapter," DesVigne said. "Ultimately I was like 'I have one more year, let's see where this can go.'"

With one week to go it's gone pretty good, with DesVigne poised to contend for the national championship.

Anthony again opened the season as the 184-pound starter. And once more, he dropped to 174 at the start of the second semester, making room for Garrett Wells to take over at 184 and solidify UCO's lineup.

DesVigne takes a 20-4 record and eight-match winning streak into the national tournament. He has 14 bonus wins, including nine technical falls, and is seeded sixth after capturing a second straight Regional IV title two weeks ago.

His long, winding trail to college success is almost over.

"It's been a long journey and a fun one for sure," said Anthony, who is working on a master's degree in crime intelligence. "Been lots of ups and downs. Tons of hard work. It got exhausting sometimes, but it's been worth it."

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Players Mentioned

Anthony DesVigne: 5' 11"; Senior

Garrett Wells: 5' 11"; Redshirt Freshman

Players Mentioned

Anthony DesVigne
: 5' 11"; Senior

Garrett Wells
: 5' 11"; Redshirt Freshman