The following is the latest installment of an occasional series about the progress of standout local student-athletes who have gone on succeed at the next level in their college careers.
BERLIN- After finishing as runner-up for two straight years in the NCAA Division II wrestling championship tournament, former Stephen Decatur High School standout student-athlete Latra Collick is making a strong run at getting back to the finals this year and possibly taking the next step.
Collick, who recorded a 119-21 record during a stellar year at Decatur now wrestles for Newberry College in Newberry, South Carolina and is an important part of the school’s wrestling success. Newberry is currently ranked number-two in the NCAA Division II poll and number-one in the East Region.
Collick’s national standing as an individual mirrors his team’s success. He is currently ranked 5th in the country among all NCAA Division II wrestlers in the 149-pound weight class and first in the East region. His season record now stands at 23-5 including seven pins and five major decisions. He is currently riding an eight-match winning streak dating back to January 15.
Collick made an immediate impact when he arrived at Newberry College as a freshman two years ago. In his first two seasons, he was national runner-up in Division II in his weight class and appears to be getting better. After going 26-11 last year, Collick now has a career college record of 40-23 including a 23-5 mark this year.
Collick finished a stellar career at Decatur with a record of 119-21 and was runner up in the state championship meet as a senior and finished fifth in the state meet as a junior. He was recently named the Chick-fil-a Student Athlete of the Month for January after finishing with a 13-2 mark.