Bergen Catholic wrestler sets his sights on 2020 Olympics

<p>A high school junior has his sights set on becoming an Olympian in two years and he already has won gold.</p>

News 12 Staff

Dec 10, 2018, 11:50 PM

Updated 1,962 days ago

Share:

A high school junior has his sights set on becoming an Olympian in two years and he already has won gold.
Robert Howard grew up playing flag football. His coach thought he'd be a good wrestler, so he tried it, and his coach was right.
Howard says he is meant to be a wrestler.
"I'm here to go and compete and perform at the highest level in this sport," he says.
The Bergen Catholic junior built quite the resume to get to the highest level.
As a sophomore he won a state title. But this past summer at the Cadet World Championships for high school students, he fell short of a medal.
But he still had an opportunity at redemption. Howard was already a member of Team USA.
In October, he was one of just two male freestyle wrestlers sent to compete in the Youth Olympics in Argentina. Howard won gold at 121 pounds.
The Cranford native is already dreaming of another gold medal. Howard says he's going to try to make the Olympic team in 2020.

"I don't have anything to lose," he says. "I'll be an 18-year-old kid with an opportunity to make an Olympic team. So, why not?"

Even if he gets cut, Howard says he can always redeem himself when he gets his next opportunity.
Howard says he wants to wrestle in college at Penn State.


More from News 12
0:51
Wildfire in Wharton State Forest consumes more than 400 acres of land

Wildfire in Wharton State Forest consumes more than 400 acres of land

1:56
Isolated storms tonight; freeze warning in effect for parts of NJ overnight

Isolated storms tonight; freeze warning in effect for parts of NJ overnight

2:54
Longtime Democratic US Rep. Donald Payne Jr. dies at 65 following heart attack

Longtime Democratic US Rep. Donald Payne Jr. dies at 65 following heart attack

1:53
Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

0:56
Passaic to get $1.6M in federal funds to reduce flash flooding where 2 people died

Passaic to get $1.6M in federal funds to reduce flash flooding where 2 people died

2:56
Doctors combine a pig kidney transplant and a heart device in a bid to extend New Jersey woman's life

Doctors combine a pig kidney transplant and a heart device in a bid to extend New Jersey woman's life

0:43
Jersey Proud: Manchester HS students teach older generation about tech

Jersey Proud: Manchester HS students teach older generation about tech

2:23
'The tower is an eyesore.' Demolition of former Nabisco factory tower set to begin after 1-year delay

'The tower is an eyesore.' Demolition of former Nabisco factory tower set to begin after 1-year delay

1:03
Rep. Gottheimer announces another attempt to put an end to NYC’s congestion pricing plan

Rep. Gottheimer announces another attempt to put an end to NYC’s congestion pricing plan

0:29
Former Wawa gas attendant accused of stealing thousands of dollars from customers

Former Wawa gas attendant accused of stealing thousands of dollars from customers

1:33
AAA: New Jersey gas prices increase nearly 20 cents from last week

AAA: New Jersey gas prices increase nearly 20 cents from last week

2:12
Princeton University accused of violating civil rights of Jewish students

Princeton University accused of violating civil rights of Jewish students

0:37
Prosecutors: Former Jersey City police officer charged with sex assault, criminal restraint

Prosecutors: Former Jersey City police officer charged with sex assault, criminal restraint

0:27
Washington Township police issues warning over 'Water Wars' game

Washington Township police issues warning over 'Water Wars' game

0:34
Camden County man charged in crash that killed young mother

Camden County man charged in crash that killed young mother

2:18
Remnants of bird flu virus found in pasteurized milk, FDA says

Remnants of bird flu virus found in pasteurized milk, FDA says

0:32
US banning TikTok? Your key questions answered

US banning TikTok? Your key questions answered

0:35
Bon Jovi docuseries premieres Friday on Hulu

Bon Jovi docuseries premieres Friday on Hulu

0:31
New federal rule would bar 'noncompete' agreements for most employees

New federal rule would bar 'noncompete' agreements for most employees

1:02
Composting can save money, help gardens and save the planet. Here are 10 tips to get you started

Composting can save money, help gardens and save the planet. Here are 10 tips to get you started