Profile: Matt and Scott Parker

One of the best wrestlers in the nation at 133 last year, Scott Parker '19 enters his senior season coming off his second straight EIWA title and back-to-back All-America honors. He'll be joined by his brother Matt Parker '22, who was with the program last year but deferred eligibility. The two will look to help the Mountain Hawks improve on their 12-3 record and 15th- place team finish at the NCAA Championships.

What would you say is your proudest athletic achievement to date?

SCOTT PARKER: Becoming an All-American the past two years (eighth in 2017 and seventh in 2018).

MATT PARKER: My proudest athletic achievement today is making the state finals my junior year of high school.

How did you get started in wrestling?

SP: I received a flyer in my kindergarten class and took it home to my parents and asked them if I could try it out.

MP: I started wrestling because Scott did. I wanted to do everything that he did, so naturally I started to wrestle.

What do you love about wrestling?

SP: I love that wrestling is entirely individual, and you only get out what you put into it.

MP: The lessons that it has taught me. I wouldn’t be who I am without wrestling.

What is the most challenging thing about wrestling?

SP: Learning how to deal with, and overcome, injuries that restrict your abilities.

MP: Continuing to put in the time when you constantly fail to reach your expectations and goals.

Did you ever think you would get to wrestle with your brother at the same Division I school?

SP: Absolutely. I knew we were both talented enough to wrestle at the Division I level, and because we are so close, I figured if I went somewhere, Matt would follow.

MP: I did. That was always a dream of mine, and it is part of what drove me to work as hard as I have.

Who would you say have been your best mentors?

SP: My parents first and foremost, as well as my current coaches at Lehigh.

MP: My brother, my parents and my coaches.

Scott, what's one fun fact many people may not know about Matt? Matt, what's one fun fact many people may not know about Scott?

SP: Matt might come off as very serious and motivated sometimes, but he’s actually one of the funniest people I’ve ever met, and he loves to joke around.

MP: One fun fact about Scott is that he loves tuna. If he could, he would have it for every meal of the day.

What is the best thing about the Lehigh wrestling program?

SP: We are a very close-knit group of guys that would do anything for one another.

MP: The best thing about Lehigh wrestling is how close everyone is. At the end of the day we all have each others’ backs and we would do anything for one another.

What is the best thing about Lehigh as a university? SP: Lehigh has given me the tools to be prepared for life outside of college.

MP: The academics and the people that you can meet.

MAJOR:

SP: Finance

MP: History