A.J._Ferrari

A.J. Ferrari

A.J. Ferrari

American wrestler (born 2001)

A.J. Ferrari (born July 24, 2001) is an American freestyle wrestler and former folkstyle wrestler who competes internationally at 92 kilograms and collegiately at 197 pounds.[2][3] He was previously signed by the WWE under its NIL (Next In Line) program. In freestyle, he claimed a bronze medal at the 2018 Cadet World Championships and was the 2020 US junior national champion.[4][5] In folkstyle, Ferrari is a NCAA Division I national champion and Big 12 Conference champion out of Oklahoma State University, and was the top-ranked high school wrestler at the time of his commitment.[6][7] Ferrari left the OSU wrestling team after local police announced he was under investigation for sexual assault.[8][9] On August 3, 2022, Ferrari was charged with felony sexual battery.[10] On October 6, 2023, the case was dismissed, with the 15 month citation being closed by the plaintiff's lawyer, citing "vicious attacks" and "harassment" directed at the client as the principle reason. [11]

Quick Facts Personal information, Nickname ...

Amateur wrestling career

High school

Born and raised in Texas, Ferrari first attended Allen High School, where he became a two-time state champion and claimed a Walsh Jesuit Ironman title, as well as a Cadet Fargo National Championship in freestyle wrestling.[12][13][14][15] In 2018, Ferrari claimed a Cadet World Championship bronze medal before he and his family moved to New Jersey, where he attended Blair Academy as the top-ranked 195 pounder in the country.[16][17] While in Blair, he claimed a Beast of the East title by beating the second-ranked wrestler in the nation Jacob Cardenas (helping to the team title)[18] and another Ironman title (also helping to the team title).[19] He then transferred to Bergen Catholic High School,[20] where he was also dominant but not eligible to compete in the post-season, like in Blair.[20] After that, he moved back to Allen, Texas,[21] where his senior year was derailed by an ankle injury.[22] In 2020, Ferrari claimed the US Junior National Championship in freestyle.[3]

College

In October 2019, Ferrari, the top-recruit in the country, committed to Oklahoma State University,[23] over Rutgers, Penn State, Nebraska and Ohio State.[24]

2020–2021

During regular season, Ferrari compiled a 12–1 record, with his only loss being handed to him by the highly-ranked Noah Adams from West Virginia.[25] Entering the post-season, Ferrari ran through the bracket to claim his first Big 12 Conference title, becoming the first true freshman to be named the Most Outstanding Wrestler of the tournament since 2005.[6] At the NCAAs, Ferrari, the fourth seed, clinched three matches to make the semifinals, notably defeating All-American Jacob Warner from Iowa and highly–ranked Tanner Sloan, before facing the Olympian and B1G Champion Myles Amine.[26] Ferrari was able to prove himself by soundly defeating the highly skilled three-time All-American on points to advance to the finals, taking out the top–seed.[27] In the finale, he defeated Nino Bonaccorsi from Pittsburgh, becoming an NCAA champion as a true freshman, the third in the Cowboys' history.[28]

In April, Ferrari bumped up 17 pounds to make his senior freestyle debut at age 19, at the rescheduled US Olympic Team Trials in April 1–3 as the sixth seed at 97 kilograms, in an attempt to represent the United States at the 2020 Summer Olympics.[29][30] In the first round, he was defeated by 2018 NCAA champion Michael Macchiavello, and lost controversially to 2019 graduate Ben Honis in the consolation bracket.[31]

2021–2022

With an undefeated 10–0 record midway through the season,[citation needed] Ferrari and Oklahoma State cross country runner Isai Rodriguez were involved in a serious car accident where Ferrari's car was completely destroyed.[32] Ferrari was airlifted to OU Health in Oklahoma City for treatment for internal bleeding and fluid on his lungs.[33] Ferrari withdrew from the rest of the season since his injuries required surgery.[34]

Mixed martial arts career

Ferrari is preparing for a transition to mixed martial arts and has been training in various striking martial arts, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu alongside Rodolfo Vieira and Jorge Masvidal from American Top Team.[35]

Personal life

Ferrari is from Allen, Texas, and he started wrestling after the family's move to Dallas.[36] Ferrari’s family are devout Christians and Italian Americans.[37]

Criminal charges

On July 5, 2022, a woman filed for an emergency protective order against Ferrari, alleging he sexually assaulted her on July 2 in her home.[10] On July 14, Oklahoma State University confirmed Ferrari had left their wrestling team.[8] An hour later, the Stillwater Police Department announced Ferrari was under investigation for sexual assault.[9] On August 3, 2022 Ferrari was charged with felony sexual battery in Payne County District Court. After the charges were announced Ferrari's attorney released a statement saying “we remain confident that through the legal process, A.J. Jr. will be exonerated, as he is innocent and the facts will no doubt prove it.”[10] The case was dismissed on October 6, 2023 in Payne County District Court. An order was signed by Associate District Judge Michael Kulling after being filed by District Attorney Laura Austin Thomas, citing “vicious attacks” and “harassment” directed at her client as well as "ugliness and hatred that she encounters and suffers each time this matter progresses to the next step."[38][39]

Freestyle record

More information Senior Freestyle Matches, Res. ...

NCAA record

More information NCAA Division I Record, Res. ...

Stats

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[25]

References

  1. [1]
    "AJ Ferrari (@mrfasttwitch)". twitter.com. Archived from the original on 2021-06-02. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
  2. [2]
    "AJ Ferrari - 2020-21 - Wrestling". Oklahoma State University Athletics. Retrieved 2021-01-13.
  3. [3]
    Cain, Brandon M. (2020-11-15). "Oklahoma State wrestling: AJ Ferrari wins 2020 UWW Junior National title at 92 kilograms". Cowboys Ride For Free. Retrieved 2021-01-13.
  4. [4]
    Hamilton, Andy. "USA Wrestling Medalist History at Cadet World Championships". Trackwrestling. Retrieved 2021-01-13.
  5. [5]
    Duckworth, Seth (2020-11-15). "AJ Ferrari Dominates his Way to Junior National Title". Pistols Firing. Retrieved 2021-01-13.
  6. [6]
    "Cowboy Wrestling Claims Ninth-Straight Big 12 Tournament Title". Oklahoma State University Athletics. 7 March 2021. Retrieved 2021-03-09.
  7. [7]
    NJ.com, James Kratch | NJ Advance Media for (2019-10-03). "A.J. Ferrari, nation's top-ranked wrestling recruit, commits to Oklahoma State over Rutgers, 3 other schools". nj. Retrieved 2021-01-13.
  8. [8]
    Wright, Scott (13 July 2022). "A.J. Ferrari no longer with Oklahoma State wrestling team". The Oklahoman. Retrieved 13 July 2022.
  9. [9]
    Hines, Kelly (13 July 2022). "OSU wrestler AJ Ferrari accused of sexual assault, no longer on the team". Tulsa World. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
  10. [10]
    Wright, Scott (3 August 2022). "Ex-OSU wrestler A.J. Ferrari faces felony charge of sexual battery, warrant for arrest". The Oklahoman. Retrieved 6 August 2022.
  11. [11]
    "Sexual battery charge dropped against former Oklahoma State wrestler A.J. Ferrari". The Oklahoman. Retrieved 2024-02-06.
  12. [12]
    "AJ Ferrari is your National Cadet Freestyle Champion". Wrestlingtexas. 2017-07-17. Retrieved 2021-01-13.
  13. [13]
    "Ferrari Headlines OSU's Top Ranked Recruiting Class". Oklahoma State University Athletics. 21 September 2020. Retrieved 2021-01-13.
  14. [14]
    Smith, Earl (2019-12-12). "Walsh Ironman Champions from the Last Ten Years". The Open Mat. Retrieved 2021-01-13.
  15. [15]
    CalGrappler (2017-07-24). "FARGO: Cadet & Junior National Results". CalGrappler - The Home for California High School Wrestling. Retrieved 2021-01-21.
  16. [16]
    "AJ Ferrari headed to Croatia for Cadet World Championships". Wrestlingtexas. 2018-06-29. Retrieved 2021-01-21.
  17. [17]
    "Blair Academy begins season No. 1 in Fab 50 for eighth straight season". InterMat. Retrieved 2021-01-13.
  18. [18]
    NJ.com, Bill Evans | NJ Advance Media for (2018-12-23). "Colaiocco wins 4th Beast title; Ferrari captures 1-2 matchup, Blair rolls to team crown". nj. Retrieved 2021-01-13.
  19. [19]
    "Blair Academy wins Ironman title by record-margin 100 points". InterMat. Retrieved 2021-01-13.
  20. [20]
    NJ.com, Patrick Lanni | NJ Advance Media for (2019-01-22). "2 of nation's best wrestlers join powerhouse lineup after transfer". nj. Retrieved 2021-01-13.
  21. [21]
    Kosko, Nick (2019-06-10). "Rutgers Going All In for Top Ranked Wrestling Recruit AJ Ferrari". On the Banks. Retrieved 2021-01-13.
  22. [22]
    Duckworth, Seth (2020-04-22). "OSU Wrestling: Q&A with Top-Ranked Recruit and OSU Commit AJ Ferrari". Pistols Firing. Retrieved 2021-01-13.
  23. [23]
    Duckworth, Seth (2020-11-23). "Anthony Ferrari Commits to Wrestle at Oklahoma State". Pistols Firing. Retrieved 2021-01-13.
  24. [24]
    Miller, Zach. "AJ Ferrari commits to Oklahoma State wrestling". North Jersey Media Group. Retrieved 2021-01-13.
  25. [25]
    "AJ Ferrari (Oklahoma State) Profile | WrestleStat". www.wrestlestat.com. Retrieved 2021-02-13.
  26. [26]
    Press, Jason Elmquist/Stillwater News (19 March 2021). "UPDATE: Ferrari joins Fix, Lewallen in NCAA semifinals". Stillwater News Press. Retrieved 2021-03-21.
  27. [27]
    Guymon, J. Carl. "NCAA wrestling: Oklahoma State's AJ Ferrari upsets No. 1 seed en route to national final". The Oklahoman. Retrieved 2021-03-21.
  28. [28]
    Goodwin, Cody. "'That's crazy, man': How Oklahoma State freshman AJ Ferrari won the NCAA wrestling title". Des Moines Register. Retrieved 2021-03-21.
  29. [29]
    "Gophers' Gable Steveson shares Hodge Trophy with Iowa's Spencer Lee". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2021-03-30.
  30. [30]
    "A.J. Ferrari: A Day in the Life for the NCAA Champ Preparing for Olympic Trials". Pokes Report. 2021-03-25. Retrieved 2021-03-30.
  31. [31]
    Duckworth, Seth (2021-04-03). "Fix, Ferrari Fall as Oliver Makes Olympic Trial Finals". Pistols Firing. Retrieved 2021-04-06.
  32. [32]
    "Okla. St. wrestling, track stars hurt in bad crash". ESPN.com. 2022-01-25. Retrieved 2022-01-31.
  33. [33]
    Wright, Scott (24 January 2022). "Oklahoma State wrestler A.J. Ferrari recovering after car accident Monday night". The Oklahoman. Retrieved 13 July 2022.
  34. [34]
    Wright, Scott. "'No chance that he's back this year': Oklahoma State wrestler A.J. Ferrari needs surgery, out for season". The Oklahoman. Retrieved 2022-02-23.
  35. [35]
    Jones, Phil (26 January 2023). "NCAA Champion AJ Ferrari Starts Training BJJ With Rodolfo Vieira For MMA Move". JitsMagazine. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
  36. [36]
    Blaine Henry (August 3, 2021). "AJ Ferrari: Future 5x NCAA National Champion". fight-library.com. The Fight Library.
  37. [37]
    Duckworth, Seth (2020-04-22). "OSU Wrestling: Q&A with Top-Ranked Recruit and OSU Commit AJ Ferrari". Pistols Firing. Retrieved 2021-05-10.
  38. [38]
    Wright, Scott (2023-10-06). "Sexual battery charge dropped against former OSU wrestler A.J. Ferrari". The Oklahoman. Retrieved 2024-01-15.
  39. [39]
    Simmons, Beau (2023-10-06). "Sexual battery case dismissed against AJ Ferrari". Stillwater News Press. Retrieved 2024-01-15.
  40. [40]
    Iowa wrestling wins big at Soldier Salute, AJ Ferrari gets heated, DQ'd Des Moines Register
  41. [41]
    A.J. Ferrari, former OSU wrestler, gets disqualified following win at Iowa dual Tulsa World
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