Did you know that the M Club supports a full scholarship for a current student-athlete every year through a Director's Circle contribution to the Terrapin Club? It's just one of the many ways that M Club members help us continue our mission of Athletes Helping Athletes!
This year's M Club Director's Circle student-athlete is
Dominic Solis, a sophomore on the wrestling team from Laurel, Maryland who makes us proud on and off the mat.
: What made you get into wrestling?
: I got into wrestling with one of my preschool buddies when I was just five years old. Funny story, we both went to the first practice together, he quit the first day and I stuck with it ever since!
: Why did you choose to come to UMD?
: Location is the first reason I chose Maryland. I wanted to be close enough for my family to come to every home match and wanted to be able to visit them whenever. I also wanted the opportunity to be able to support my little brother, Max, in his sporting events; He's a beast by the way. The second reason I decided to attend Maryland for wrestling is because of the potential. After talking with the coaches and seeing the potential upside of this program, I knew I wanted to be a part of the building process.
: Who are the people that keep you going and inspire you to be an athlete?
: My family and my team.
I want to make my family proud and represent the Solis family name. I want to be the best version of myself so I can represent my coaches, teammates, and program well.
: What are some (if any) challenges have you had to overcome in your career and how did you go about it?
: I've had a few struggles throughout my career thus far but I mostly keep it to myself. One was the passing of my grandmother my first year at Maryland. This was during the time of Covid and I wasn't able to go to her funeral which bothered me for a while.
I've also been struggling with different bumps and bruises throughout my career from ankle, to knee, and rib injuries. However, I have a great and supportive staff behind me that I trust throughout the process.
: What advice would you give to other student-athletes around the world?
: If I could give any one piece of advice, it would be to learn the power of doing one more. Continue to do one more in everything you do. This includes one more rep in the weight room, one more rep of a piece of technique, one more sprint at the end of practice. If you are consistently doing one more rep over a long period of time, it will add up and it could mean the difference between winning and losing.
: What does being on scholarship mean to you?
: I think being on scholarship is an amazing privilege that I should take advantage of. I get to do what I love on a daily basis and compete for my state because of scholarship. I also get an education that will help prepare me for success beyond wrestling.
