John “JT” Schneider has always had a passion for his chosen of sport of wrestling.
It was an intangible he brought to Greens Farms Academy, and it helped him win a series of titles for the Dragons, as the program has grown into a league and New England power.
Now, Schneider is taking that passion and his talents to college. Earlier this month, Schneider announced his intentions to wrestle at Williams College starting next fall.
Schneider was one of 12 Dragon student-athletes feted on Wednesday, March 6, during the school’s annual Spring College Commitment ceremony held inside the Coyle Gym. Those 12 coupled with eight Dragons who committed during the National Letter of Intent signing period in the fall brings the school’s total to 20 different GFA athletes playing in college come fall.
“Williams was just the best fit for me,” Schneider said. “I was very fortunate to establish a really good relationship with the coach and that was a plus, but it just feels like Williams is the best place I can grow as a student, a person and a wrestler.”
When Schneider arrived on campus, he did so with a passion for his sport and a work-ethic that helped him rise to the top of his weight class.
“John’s passion for wrestling and school is unparalleled,” GFA coach Jack Conroy said. “His decision to attend Williams College is the realization of a lifetime of hard work and doing the right thing day in and day out. I couldn’t be more proud of him.”
Schneider said he hopes to major in economics, but he also has another dream.
“I know at the end of the day I want to get into coaching and coach wrestling,” he said.
Williams, which is already home to former GFA wrestlers Peter Kane '22 and Caleb Seyfried '22, only won three dual matches during the regular season but finished 10th at the NCAA Division III Northeast Regionals and sent multiple wrestlers to the NCAA D-III national championship meet, as well.