NORWICH - On Wednesday, February 17, senior Purple Tornado wrestler Tyler Rice finally made his long-awaited college commitment by signing his National Letter of Intent to join the Reinhardt University Eagles, in Waleska, Georgia in the fall of 2021. The Eagles are an National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) school and a member of the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC).

As a five-year varsity athlete, Rice has been a stalwart for Norwich, always having been a fierce competitor, leader, and is among the most decorated wrestlers Norwich has seen in recent years.

Amassing 134 wins in his impressive athletic career, Rice is a two-time Section IV Champion, making two trips to the NYSPHSAA Championships medaling in both of his state tournament appearances. For most high school athletes, that’s already an impressive resume of accomplishments, but Rice’s isn’t even halfway there.

“The biggest turn around for me was my freshman year, placing in states at 220lbs. No one is really expecting you at freshman year wrestling at such a high weight,” said Rice.

Following up on his stellar freshman campaign in 2017-2018 where he competed in his first state tournament, his sophomore season in 2018-19 would prove to be his break-out year. Tyler put himself on the college recruiting map as he finished in third place at the Eastern States Wrestling Classic and followed that up later in the year by winning the National Championship at the National High School Coaches Association Championships in Virginia Beach.