Vinny Freeman doesn't mind getting a little physical every now and then.
Whether he's on the football field or the wrestling mat, the 5-foot-11, 197-pound Penn High senior standout has never been afraid to mix it up with his opponents.
"When I was around five years old, my mom put me in a wrestling club because I was too rough playing soccer with the other kids," recalled Freeman. "I have been around the game of football since birth. Although I didn't start playing tackle (football) until the fifth grade, I did start playing flag (football) in kindergarten."
The same passion and desire he displayed as a youth has followed him throughout the course of his high school career.
"My greatest influences have always been my parents (Notre Dame head football coach Marcus and Joanna Freeman) because of how hard they work and how much they have sacrificed for our family," explained Freeman. "What most people don't know is that my dad hasn't been in the 'spotlight' for long at all. He earned his current leadership role by hard work and being selfless, so that has what it's been like growing up. I get to watch and learn from a man who outworks everyone and wants to become better no matter what."
In addition to leading the Kingsmen in solo tackles, the three-year starting defensive back-linebacker also has two fumble recoveries (one returned 40 yards for a touchdown against South Bend Washington) and a pair of blocked punts.
"Vinny has an extremely high football IQ," said Penn head football coach Pete Riordan. "This allows us to give him a variety of different responsibilities on the defensive side of the ball. Sometimes we might give him too much, but he's an incredible leader on and off the field."
Meanwhile, he has also registered a three-year wrestling mark of 104-17, which includes a third-place finish in the 175-point weight class at the 2025 IHSAA state finals.
"Vinny has many great strengths about him," stated Penn head wrestling coach Brad Harper. "First of all, he is a culture setter. Teammates follow him and he always chooses hard and brings our team to a high excellent standard. His work ethic, drive, discipline, and character are more quality strengths he has. Weakness doesn't exist for Vinny Freeman. He always turns negatives into positives."
Having success in both sports seems to go hand-in-hand for Vinny.
"Wrestling has helped the most in football with my leverage and quick movement speed," explained Freeman. "Fast twitch movements and leverage are vital for being a successful wrestler, and I believe that has helped tremendously on the football field as well.
"The biggest thing football has helped me with in wrestling is power and explosion. Playing varsity Class 6A football has given me the ability to use strength mixed with balance and explosion, which I believe football players have more of than average wrestlers."
He also credits both Riordan and Harper for his good fortune.
"I have a great relationship with both coaches, but I also have so much gratitude for both of them," Freeman said. "They both have impacted my sports career greatly. They both have changed my sports career with Coach Pete introducing me to the defensive back position, and Coach Harper understanding and taking the risk of me lowering a weight class in the middle of last year (from 182 pounds to 175 pounds). This ended up being the better and more successful decision, which I was hesitant about at the start, but that just shows the trust I have in both coaches."
Now in his second year in charge on the gridiron, Riordan has watched Freeman mature in many areas.
"He's the unquestionable tone setter for the team," Riordan said. "What he does, others follow. Additionally, Vinny is a three-year starter and has been there and done that at the highest level both in football and wrestling. Things do not faze him.
"Vinny is a leader because of his performance, experience, and work ethic. Teammates know they can count on him not only to do his job, but also make big plays. He's a three-year starter for us for a reason."
The veteran Harper also knows what Freeman means to his program.
"He is soon to be a four-year starter for our team, and he is the heart and passion of our team this year and is going to set the tone for this year and many years to come," explained Harper. "Vinny is one of our team leaders because he brings the energy and excitement that every program has to be successful."
Although he could probably excel at both sports at the next level, Vinny ultimately decided he was going to wrestle at Cornell University.
"I chose to commit to Cornell because I believe that I can grow the most athletically and academically," said Freeman, who currently has a 3.89 grade-point average. "This university, the coaches, and the other wrestlers really live and emphasize being a family, which is what I love the most."
There were other factors involved in his decision as well.
"I chose to wrestle in college to pursue my own path and create a different legacy for myself," explained Freeman, who wants to major in sports and business management or athletic administration. "Wrestling provides a different feeling knowing that I can't depend on anyone to win for me. When I lose, I can't blame anyone or point a finger at anyone. but myself.
"My biggest weakness in football I believe is my size. If I was a little bigger and longer, I might have thought more about playing football (in college)."
If the three-time state qualifier in wrestling is going to find his way back to Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis again this coming February, there are some things he needs to improve on.
"I believe my weaknesses in wrestling are endless," explained Freeman. "I don't think I will ever stop being able to improve in wrestling or find ways to be healthier or stronger or better technique. Wrestling is such a physically and technically difficult sport and is so difficult to master."
Outside of sports, he really lives a simple life.
"I like just hanging out with my family and close friends," Freeman said. "Since my dad moved a lot when I was younger, I never really was a person to hang out with friends over family because I would have to make new friends every couple of years, so I have always been very close with my family. That's why I want to emphasize spending a lot of time with my family because I know I don't have a lot of time left and I am going to miss them very much."
That's why he has a plan mapped out for his future as well.
"My long-term plans are to become a successful father and husband," Freeman said. "Hopefully, I have a nice job and have the ability to find ways to help out the community and give back to people who are less fortunate."
However, knowing the end on the gridiron is on the horizon for him, he wants to make the most of time left with the "Wild Bunch," which is the name given to the Penn defense.
"One of the areas I have been trying to improve on is being a vocal leader," Freeman said. "As the season has gone on starting back in summer, I have grown and became more of a vocal leader on the team. The biggest piece of advice I want to give to my teammates is to play every single rep like it's your last and to make sure to take advantage of every opportunity given."
The next opportunity for Freeman comes on September 26 when No. 6 (Class 6A) Penn (5-0) welcomes South Bend Adams (2-3) for Homecoming festivities at Everwise Freed Field.
