Harvard Grad Chases Dream of National Wrestling Championship at Rutgers

Yaraslau Slavikouski has been chasing his dreams since he was 9 years old.

Growing up in Belarus, he dreamed of coming to the United States. He was inspired by his older brother, Valentin, who convinced him he could have a better life if he moved.

That dream carried him across the ocean, alone, at age 17. Now 25, he is chasing his second master's degree at Rutgers. He's also chasing a national championship in wrestling.

After completing a degree in economics from Harvard, Slavikouski came to Rutgers Business School, where he earned master’s in supply chain analytics. This year he is working on a degree in Financial Analytics. Meanwhile, he continues working out while weighing in at 245 – in a class maxed at 280 pounds.

“I've improved a lot since last season,” he said about wrestling. “It took some time to adjust to the Big Ten. It's a different level of competition, but that's what I wanted. That’s why I chose Rutgers, to challenge myself and be challenged every day training. I've made a lot of progress. I can see it, I can feel it. It took some time obviously. I wanted it to be a little faster, but it takes time. Unfortunately, nothing comes easy. Nothing comes fast.’’

That also applies to his academic journey. With the help of several people, led by his brother, Slavikouski was able to enroll at Northfield Mount Hermon in the town of Gill, Mass. At the high school, he would be a three-time New England champion, and, combined with his academic success, was on his way to an Ivy League school.

He started out as the Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association (EIWA)  Freshman of the Year, and earned an EIWA academic achievement award. He ended his career at Harvard, qualifying for the NCAA Tournament. Among his accomplishments those years also included making the Belarus national team and placing third in the European Championships.

Last season he won 22 matches, placed fourth in the Big Ten Tournament, and with a seventh place finish at the NCAA Tournament became the first Rutgers All-American heavyweight since 1964.

“The Big Ten is obviously a bigger beast,” he said, comparing it to the Ivy League schedule. “There’s a very high level of competition every week. Every guy gives you a run for your money. They wrestle hard and compete with you. It’s just not the same.”

“He’s gotten better,” coach Scott Goodale said before a practice. “He goes about it so differently; he’s so damn quiet. Can he win it all?  On any given day, sure. He’s good enough to do that.”

Senior John Poznanski, in the 197 class, couldn’t say enough about Slavikouski.

“We’ve become really close,” he said. “He has Sunday dinners with my family. He’s a great training partner, a great guy, a great friend and great teammate.”

Slavikouski grew up in the small town of Rechitsa, some 200 miles from the capital city of Minsk.

“I'm from very humble beginnings,” he said. “I didn't have anything fancy growing up. My parents divorced when I was very young, but it really didn't affect me. I had my brother growing up and he was my father figure. He’s the one who brought me to the wrestling room. We still talk to each other every day.”

Asked if his mom had any positive influence on him, he smiled.

“She was a big influence on me. She was always the one who pushed for education. She made sure my brother and I prioritized school. We were also good athletes so she basically pushed us to be student-athletes.”

Also a college graduate, she currently works in chemical engineering for a mining company in Minsk.

He hasn’t seen her since his graduation from Harvard. As for his father, he said, “We're on good terms. We call each other.”

The focus, of course, remains on attending classes and going to practice.

“The business school here is no joke,” he said. “It’s a very hands-on experience, a very detailed experience. Every professor wants to get the best out of you. Rutgers was one of the best options for me in terms of getting an education. It’s one of the best business schools out there. Plus, it’s close to New York City, and I want to work in finance after this. So it’s a perfect location for me.

“Wrestling-wise, you can see for yourself it’s a Big Ten exceptional program. The coaching staffs, all training partners and the attention to athletes, and wrestling specifically, are outstanding here.

“Balancing that with wrestling is obviously a challenge, but it’s not my first year doing it, so I’ve made it work so far.”

Asked if last year’s finish was a disappointment, Slavikouski paused several seconds before answering. “I mean, it’s always disappointing to lose, and if I’m not a national champion that means I lost somewhere.

“But at the same time, I know life is more than just wins and losses. It’s about the process, the people you meet along the way, your character development.

“I know I'm going to put in all the effort and work as hard as I can to make it happen. I'm confident in myself and my preparation. I'm a competitor. I don't want to say I'm a poor loser,” he said, breaking into a smile, “but I don't like losing.” 

Clearly Yaraslau Slavikouski is anything but a loser.