Lou DePrez of the Binghamton University wrestling team was poised for a deep run at NCAA Championships before the season abruptly ended due to the COVID-19 outbreak. The 184-pound redshirt sophomore standout had already garnered a No. 4 seed and had notable wins over a majority of the top ten wrestlers in the country.

DePrez shared his thoughts on the last six weeks.

Prior to the end of the season, talk about the rigor of the competition you faced at Cliff Keen, Southern Scuffle, and select duals. Tell us how that prepared you to win an EIWA Championship and how you felt going into Minneapolis.

Coach did a great job getting us a tough schedule this year. We really got out of the EIWA and competed against the best guys in the country. I know at Cliff Keen I had all the top eight guys in the country at my weight, even our dual season had three top ten teams in it. Although wrestling a tough schedule is a grind, being able to wrestle the top competition is always a positive, win or lose. It allows you to see what you need to improve on as well as giving you an idea on where you are compared to the rest of the field. Going into the postseason I felt that I could beat everyone.

As one of the top wrestlers in your weight class in the country, take us through the events of COVID-19 and what you were feeling as those transpired.

To complete the majority of the season and not finish the most important part was kind of devastating, the only reason you wrestle the season is to get ready for nationals. I felt like I put in all the hard work and I did everything right to get me to a good spot in the tournament. To have it taken away is heartbreaking.

How are you handling it now moving forward?

The only thing that has changed is I have two years left to accomplish my goals instead of three.

You went 26-5 this season. Talk about where your confidence level is at heading into the 20-21 season, and discuss your biggest learning experience from this year.

Things change every year, but I know what I have in Binghamton is good and the coaching staff as well as the team will get me ready for next year. The biggest thing I learned from this year would be to take nothing for granted. 

The team featured a very young lineup at EIWA's this season, and put together a program-tying best 6th place finish (of 17). Where do you see this team going forward, and particularly your brother Sam, who got a big pin at EIWA's as well.

I think with the team being so young, we can only get better. We have a great group of guys with a bunch coming in this summer. Sam showed some guts this year wrestling as a true freshman at 197. It's a tough weight class to get thrown into your first year and I believe he'll become a great wrestler if he keeps working hard.

From a standpoint of yourself, Zack (Trampe) and every other NCAA qualifier, can you explain what it feels like to have your postseason canceled like this? What do you think you could've achieved in Minneapolis?

To put in all the hard work and sacrifice as much as I did to be able to wrestle my best at nationals is heartbreaking like I said. I was the 4th seed having beat everyone already up to the semis during the season. I mean anything can happen, but I feel like I was in a good spot to win it all. I think the saddest thing is that I will never be a three time national champion or a three time All-American, because that is what I dream about. On a positive note, I know the hard work and the breakthroughs I went through this year will stay with me as I continue to compete.

Talk about what you think your biggest moment was this season and how you felt.

I think my biggest moment was winning the conference tournament. I was happy but I knew I still had a bigger goal to accomplish.  

You are a History major…you have two years left at BU but what are some of your initial career plans?

I honestly have no idea. If I have a great wrestling career I could see myself coaching but as of now I don't know, will see what God has planned.

Talk about how your time has been with Binghamton wrestling (and academically, socially etc.) thus far since you have set foot on campus.

I have a second family here at Binghamton. The guys on the team all support each other and I have created many lasting relationships with the guys that have gone through this program. We have gone through a lot of adversities, with the cancelation of nationals being the latest one. But I know whatever happens we have each other's backs.