He'll get a degree in environmental science and hopes to go into conservation work or become a park ranger. As long as it's outdoors, Ackerman will be happy. He grew up in the country near Colfax, about 40 kilometres east of Des Moines. The woods and fields were his playground. That's all there is.
Wrestlers start a match on their feet.
Ackerman looks like he's kneeling when he starts. He goes for one of the opponent's legs and, once he gets a grip, works his way to the upper body and tries to wrap the wrestler in a cradle, with one arm between the legs. In that position, Ackerman is so strong he usually can turn the opponent onto his back. He did that well enough to record 13 pins this season. A disadvantage is that Ackerman can't use his legs for leverage or to wrap around an opponent.