Senior Grant Mackay
by Ellena Perdue
Laurel senior and wrestler Grant Mackay officially signed his National Letter of Intent on November 9th, 2022. Looking back on his high school wrestling career, he has achieved many successes, including being a two time state finalist, two time WPIAL champion, and state champion, along with being a three year letter winner. Grant describes himself as planned and prepared, stating, “I have an extremely planned out life. When I was 14 I planned out my life until I was 35. I went back at 18 and made some minor adjustments but I stuck to this plan. I haven’t accomplished some things on that list but that's okay.” Grant is looking forward to his academic and athletic career at Pitt. I had the opportunity to ask him a few questions about his personal life, and this is what he had to say:
Q: How does it feel now that you've made a formal commitment to Pitt?
A: It feels honestly the same to me. I have a vision and goals I think about daily, this is just a stepping stone to bigger things.
Q: What are your educational plans while you attend Pitt?
A: I would like to double major in the business program. Then head into the world and start my own real estate investment company.
Q: What was it about Pitt that drew you to sign with them?
A: The coach Keith Gavin has put together an environment to win. I also wanted to go to a place where I could get a very good education and my family could come watch all of my matches. I love the city of Pittsburgh and all the festivities that involve the City of Pittsburgh. Also it gives me a chance to enjoy a different atmosphere less than an hour away from home.
Q: What are you most excited about for this experience?
A: The opportunity to continue my career with a very solid Pitt squad. I feel like it’s a great culture and group of guys who have their priorities right and I’m very excited to be competing and surrounding myself with so many great individuals.
Q: What is one piece of advice you live by?
A: Never let a nobody influence a somebody because then nobody wins. What that means to me is to be authentic and genuine to yourself. Never try to blend in and act as others are acting. If you are a person with a lot of potential, chase the world and throw everything you have at it. You have to be okay with going your own way to fulfill your potential sometimes and people forget that sometimes. This ties in with the saying you are a product of who you hang around with.
Congratulations on signing, and we wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors!
