Illinois Wesleyan Titans Men's Wrestling | Illinois Wesleyan Titans
Illinois Wesleyan Titans Men's Wrestling | Illinois Wesleyan Titans
For Illinois Wesleyan University wrestler Omar AlQammaz, the summer before his senior year was an opportunity to gain new experiences in both wrestling and dentistry. Born in the United States but having spent his early years in Jordan, AlQammaz holds dual citizenship and frequently visits his family there.
During this summer, he not only vacationed in the Middle East but also shadowed family members who are dentists. Inspired by his aunt and uncle, who practice dentistry in Kuwait and Jordan respectively, AlQammaz focused on pre-dentistry studies while preparing for the Dental Admission Test (DAT). He spent time observing general and cosmetic dental practices across these countries.
AlQammaz was also committed to maintaining his wrestling training. Before arriving in Jordan, he reached out via social media to find a local facility where he could train. This led him to Mohammad Zeyad Al Awamleh, President of the Jordan Wrestling Federation. Invited to train at their facility, AlQammaz encountered a diverse group of 80-90 wrestlers from various backgrounds. "I got to wrestle with a bunch of different people," said AlQammaz. He noted that many Middle Eastern nations visit the facility, bringing unique styles influenced by jiu-jitsu.
Despite an invitation to compete for Team Jordan during the summer, AlQammaz prioritized his DAT preparation over wrestling competitions. "I wasn't sure about competing or cutting weight because I had to focus on the exam," he explained.
Returning for his senior year at Illinois Wesleyan, AlQammaz aims to excel academically and enjoy collegiate wrestling one last time. Reflecting on his team experience, he stated: "The wrestling team at Illinois Wesleyan feels like family."