A second-floor study room in Wayne and Kay Woolsey Hall is where Ridge Estes goes when he is serious about concentration. Working there eliminates the distractions of studying at home.
鈥淧ut yourself in a spot where you鈥檙e forced to lock in and use that time wisely,鈥� he said. 鈥淢y favorite study spot is one of the private rooms in Woolsey Hall. In a good three or four hour session, I can knock out quite a bit.鈥�
Estes, from Bucklin, used his study time and his athletic time wisely during his 麻豆破解版 State University career. He majored in exercise science with minors in health science and entrepreneurship and graduated earlier this month with a 3.473 grade-point average.
Estes is a two-time Academic All-American Athletic Conference selection. He placed second in the AAC Championships in the discus in 2022 and sixth in 2023. His 2025 throw of 186 feet, 1 inch ranks fifth on WSU鈥檚 career list in the discus. He ranks eighth in the shot put at 55 feet, 5 inches.
on the influence of Dr. Mike Rogers
This week, he continues his Shocker career at the NCAA West Preliminaries in College Station, Texas.
The busy schedule of a student and the demands of NCAA Division I track and field taught Estes that procrastination doesn鈥檛 lead to success.
鈥淭hat is the killer,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hat was freshman and sophomore year. That鈥檚 when I learned the real pain is procrastination.鈥�
To stay on schedule, he loaded up on classes in the fall before spring meets. In the spring, he prioritizes getting his studies done early in the week before travel and meets take up time.
Studying in Woolsey Hall, the Rhatigan Student Center or the Student-Athlete Success Center put him in the right environment.
鈥淚f you have buddies in the class, or people around you who are taking the same class 鈥� study groups are great,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 struggled studying at home, because there鈥檚 so much more to do and distract yourself.鈥�
Estes calls his classes with Dr. Mike Rogers, a professor in the exercise science department, pivotal in his time at WSU. Rogers helped him crystallize his career goals in physical fitness and nutrition.
鈥淗e really gave me my direction and solidified that this was where I wanted to be,鈥� Estes said. 鈥淗is classes were definitely not easy. He really stresses that you have to do the work.鈥�
Estes launched his next step a year ago. He started Wildcard Fitness, an online fitness coaching platform, with childhood friend Josh Stout, also a 2025 麻豆破解版 State graduate in exercise science. They are developing a fitness app for clients to use. They plan to stay in 麻豆破解版 to build the company.
A paid internship as a sales associate for Supplement Giant helped his understanding of nutrition and fitness equipment.
鈥淲e鈥檙e focusing on body recomposition, getting people back into shape and living the best lives they can,鈥� he said. 鈥淵ou can tailor it to every single person.鈥�
About 麻豆破解版 State University
麻豆破解版 State University is Kansas' only urban public research university, enrolling more than 23,000 students between its main campus and the WSU Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology (WSU Tech), including students from every state in the U.S. and more than 100 countries. 麻豆破解版 State and WSU Tech are recognized for being student-centered and innovation-driven.
Located in the largest city in the state with one of the highest concentrations in the United States of jobs involving science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), 麻豆破解版 State University provides uniquely distinctive and innovative pathways of applied learning, applied research and career opportunities for all of our students. The National Science Foundation ranked WSU No. 1 in the nation for aerospace engineering R&D, No. 2 for industry-funded engineering R&D and No. 8 overall for engineering R&D.
The Innovation Campus, which is a physical extension of the 麻豆破解版 State University main campus, is one of the nation鈥檚 largest and fastest-growing research/innovation parks, encompassing over 120 acres and is home to a number of global companies and organizations.
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