Penn State is known for its stand-out wrestlers, but no one packs a punch like Shakur Rasheed.
For the 197-pounder, his six-year journey — riddled with injuries, losses and weight changes —has been all leading up to the performance of a lifetime: the NCAA Championship.
"One thing that people don't know about me is that if I could come back as a whole new person with a new lifestyle, I would be a rock star," Rasheed said. "When it comes to an art, like competing, I want to be in the spotlight with tons of fans yelling. I think that's a beautiful thing."
It comes as no surprise that the senior doesn't shy away from the spotlight. His crowd-pleasing matches reflect his passion off the mat: acting. Rasheed's degree in theater and extensive movie knowledge is surging him into a career of fame.
Though the sixth-year senior is looking ahead to the future, his focus remains on the NCAA Championships in March. And while his seat in the spotlight is pushed to the backburner for now, Rasheed is relishing the roar of the Rec Hall crowd and the dual victories shaping his senior-year journey.
"I've been talking to a lot of different people involved in the acting industry because just like anything else, you need that "in" and that open door," Rasheed said. "After I got hurt, everything was so focused on getting back onto the mat and getting healthy. For me right now, I'm here for a national title. I have plenty of time to be an actor."
With news of fellow sixth-years, Kyle Conel and Anthony Cassar, ending their senior seasons early due to injury, Rasheed feels immense pressure to perform. The crowd-pleaser is no stranger to injuries, however, as his season is beginning midway through the dual matchups after recovering from a lengthy anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) surgery.
"It's been a long, hilly road. There were a lot of ups and downs. It's been back and forth where I feel unstoppable, then I get hurt," the 197-pounder said. "At the end of the road, there's that destination. For me, I'm still on that road, and the goal is a national title."
Though the pressure may seem overwhelming to a more inexperienced wrestler, Rasheed's experiences throughout his six years were shaped by confidence, teamwork and an unlikely vice: a guitar.
As a young freshman, Rasheed walked into the practice room before a major dual meet to find two-time All-American Morgan McIntosh. Expecting to see the experienced senior in deep preparation and focus, Rasheed was taken aback by McIntosh playing a guitar just minutes before he'd run out under the sweltering lights of Rec Hall to compete. In this moment, Rasheed said he realized that his key to a successful performance was to "not take things so seriously."
"That inspired me to think that maybe this isn't such a big deal. I mean it's still hard because you want to win. But, I always think about him and that guitar," Rasheed said. "If the younger guys see one of us relaxed like that, then it might impact them positively."
In the No. 2 Nittany Lions recent match against Rutgers, Rasheed had a standout performance against his former roommate and close friend, Jordan Pagano.
The pair battled the duration of three periods before No. 20 Rasheed dominated a 6-0 win over No. 18 Pagano. The decision surged the Lions ahead with a big lead, marking a significant improvement in the senior's repertoire after his long-awaited return to Rec Hall.
"I'm always going to look at myself as a leader no matter what or who is here. Now it's all opportunity for me to show how to lead this team and put the team on my back," Rasheed said. "The best way for me to be a leader is putting myself first — winning my matches, going to sleep early and taking care of my body."
With a late start to the season, Rasheed is trying to enjoy the moments he has left in the spotlight as a starter for Penn State.
"We really don't get to live life as a college student. There's a lot of discipline involved and there's not much to our story other than what we do in this room," Rasheed said. "But I'm cool with that. I have plenty of time to be a rock star."
