Jayson Spencer - An Inspiration

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Wrestler, Jayson Spencer shows what not having any excuses truly means as a student-athlete who wants to compete. The senior from Huntsville, Alabama, has served on the Hawks wrestling team for four years while being partially blind.

Jayson was born partially blind, which progressively got worse as he aged; he is legally blind and can only see out of his peripherals. However, this minor setback has not deterred him from living his dream.

From an early age "I never wanted my sight to overcome me in any way," is how Jayson describes overcoming battles. He began swimming and wrestling at age 6 and could barely see the bottom line of the pool but knew how to time out laps and become more aware of his surroundings.

He knew he wanted to wrestle and that is a reason he picked Huntingdon, they were willing to take a chance on him and look past what most people consider to be a weakness of his. When on campus, Jayson said, "I never felt judged or shamed. I always felt accepted by my teammates and coaches."

Wrestling was never super hard to grasp, Spencer said, "I rely more on the touch and feel while competing rather than seeing what the other opponent is about to do." This year alone, Jayson has accomplished many goals with zero excuses:

He placed first in the Open 165 in the Milikin Open

Spencer won 16 matches overall this season

Ranks 5th at Huntingdon for most wins

Academically Jayson had to learn his way around the campus which claimed to be a bit tricky. He explained how he did it, "I would map my routes out depending upon classes and learn them a few days ahead of time to not be dependent on other people." He has never used his sight as an excuse and continually shows up in the classroom and on the mat.

Jayson's advice to others is, "Don't let anyone tell you that you cannot do something." Which is something he has lived by his whole life.

Head Coach Matt Oliver on Jayson Spencer:

"Jayson inspired me to be a better coach. He made me understand that some wrestlers are just physical learners as opposed to audible or visual learners and he really helped me get to know that. I have to be able to move, push and walk him through techniques as well as talk him through them, this way he can learn at the same pace. Once he feels like he understands what is going on, he is back with his partner drilling and practicing what was taught just like everyone else. Take away the abilities or inabilities Jayson has, nothing is different in the way he operates in and around a practice room, other than how he learns to do things. It is safe to say that I am a better coach because of Jayson."

The student-athletes competing at Huntingdon are among over 196,000 students who play varsity sports I the NCAA's largest division, and all are joining in the nationwide celebration of Division 3 week. Division 3 student-athletes play for the love of the game, while excelling in the classroom and demonstrating leadership, community service and campus involvement. Learn more about Division 3 at www.ncaa.org, on the Division 3 Facebook page, or at NCAADIII on Twitter