Rayvon Foley already knows a wave of emotion will wash over him should he finally return to the podium at this week's NCAA Championships after three years.

"Standing on the podium again (as an All-American) would mean that I can overcome anything to still have a high-level of success in wrestling and other areas of life," said Michigan State's 133-pounder, who is ranked eighth in the nation. "That would be a humbling and emotional moment, for sure."

Foley, a junior eligibility-wise, in his fifth year with the Spartans and was expecting to be a multi-time All-American by now.

After all, the path to future podiums appeared clear when he decisioned two-time All-American Ronnie Bresser of Oregon State for seventh place in the 125-pound bracket at the 2019 NCAA Championships as a true sophomore.

That path, however, was soon impeded by disappointment. 

Foley was limited to just four matches the next season before taking a medical redshirt. Last season, his NCAA Championships run ended in the round of 16.

Without revealing specific details, Foley shared that his life, in general, was difficult at times during the two years following his All-American finish. 

"I have been through some adversity," he said. "I mean, I struggled in every aspect of my life -- mentally, socially and physically. I was trying to deal with injuries when I had to miss that (2019-20) season and then COVID hit and it kind of amplified all my problems. Eventually, though, I started working my way through everything."

That's because Foley found the solace and support he was seeking when he joined Michigan State's chapter of Athletes in Action, a worldwide Christian athletic organization, and rediscovered his faith.

"I'm in a good place now and really can't stress enough how putting faith in God again, becoming more spiritual, has helped me overcome problems in my life," Foley said. "Just going to something like bible study and being able to talk about whatever I'm going through with people who share the same faith is huge. I've met a lot of incredible people and made great connections through Athletes in Action."

Foley brings a 28-4 record with seven major decisions and five technical falls into the NCAA Championships which begin Thursday at Detroit's Little Caesars Arena. 

Among those he has beaten this season are  No. 7 Dylan Ragusin (Michigan), No. 9 Chris Cannon (Northwestern), an All-American, and No. 13 Josh Koderhandt (Navy). Foley also owns a win over sixth-ranked All-American Michael McGee (Arizona State). His four losses this season have been by a combined eight points.

"Going into the NCAAs, I'm just focusing on all the things I need to work on and all the minute details that will make a difference," Foley said. "Ultimately, it will come down to being aggressive when I need to and fighting through any situation."  

Foley learned what he still needs to focus on during a disappointing Big Ten Tournament where he finished sixth while struggling with a shoulder issue. He medically forfeited the fifth-place match to Cannon. 

"The Big Tens kind of sucked because I feel I was in a position where I could have won the matches l lost," he said. "It was a matter of not getting into the correct position or not taking a couple of shots I should have. I know there were times I should have been more aggressive going for takedowns, but the positive aspect was seeing things I still need to work on." 

Foley, who said his shoulder has healed, is seeded eighth and boasts a 12-5 record against those he was wrestled in the 133-pound bracket. He has not faced first-round opponent, Brian Courtney (Virginia), the No. 25 seed . 

Next would likely be 11th-ranked, No. 9 seed Michael Colaiocco (Pennsylvania), whom Foley has also not met.

Barring a shocking upset, getting by Colaiocco will pit Foley against top-ranked, defending champion and two-time All-American Roman Bravo-Young (Penn State). Foley, a four-time NCAA qualifier, has not wrestled him yet either. 

"I will not be surprised to see Rayvon on the podium in Detroit," Michigan State coach Roger Chandler said earlier this season. "This is a guy who trains, studies, and prepares extremely hard. Rayvon's work ethic is showing the rewards of how he is competing this year." 

It also goes without saying that Foley is elated his return to podium could come just 87 miles from Michigan State's campus and only 44 miles from his alma mater, Ann Arbor Pioneer High School. 

"People have been calling and texting me about tickets which makes me wish we had gotten a big allotment of tickets to hand out," he said. "It's very exciting, a real blessing to have the NCAA Championships so near my hometown."

Another blessing for Foley has been contributing to Michigan State's team success this season. 

The Spartans finished 10-4 in duals, their best winning percentage (.714) since a .778 mark (14-4) in 1995. Michigan State finished 4-4 in Big Ten duals, its first .500 or better showing since 2004. 

The Spartans were 15th in the final National Wrestling Coaches Association poll, their highest final ranking since reaching No. 7 in 2003. Michigan State knocked off No. 14 Rutgers, No. 16 Purdue and No. 21 Central Michigan along the way.

"To me, our team's success begins with believing in ourselves and each other," Foley said. "That provides confidence because every time one of us steps on mat, everybody else is behind them. We've been motivating, inspiring and pushing each other all season which gives us what we need when facing tough opponents and we have surprised some teams, I believe."

Foley's wrestling journey began at age 10 and was marked by steady improvement in the years before high school. He qualified for the state tournament as a freshman before taking sixth in the state as a sophomore and second as a junior.

As a senior, Foley became the Pioneer's only state champion in the past 40 years and finished with a 180-35 high school record, 111-4 his junior and senior years. 

Still, Foley remained unsigned until becoming the 10th and final member of Michigan State's 2017-18 recruiting class in July of 2017, more than a month after graduating from high school. He won a national junior 120-pound Greco-Roman title in Fargo the same week, beating current Ohio State wrestler Brady Koontz. Foley knocked off future Minnesota All-American Patrick McKee in the semifinals. 

Foley wasted little time making an impact in East Lansing, becoming the first Michigan State true freshman to qualify for the NCAA Championships since 1978 and finishing 28-11. He secured the open 125-pound starting spot with an 8-3 decision over fellow Michigan state champion Julian Saldana,  a Melvindale alum, in MSU's wrestle offs and remained there until moving to 133 this season.   

He went 36-6 as a sophomore on the way to becoming an All-American.

Last season, Foley finished 10-6 and again qualified for the NCAA Championships where he went 2-2. 

Foley, who plans to return for a final season with the Spartans in 2022-23, can end this week as Michigan State's first two-time All-American since three-timer and 2009 NCAA Champion Franklin Gomez (2008-10). 

Gomez, who represented Puerto Rico in three Olympics and won silver at the 2011 World Championships, was inducted into the Michigan State Hall of Fame last fall.

"I know Franklin and have always admired how humble and grateful he remained no matter how much success he's had," Foley said. "That's how I will be if I become an All-American again after three years. Standing on the podium will also be a reminder of how much I appreciate what wrestling has done for me. Thank you, wrestling."