Donnell Washington is a native of Portage, Indiana, and was a two time state placewinner in high school finishing fifth and second. Washington put an overall record of 110-8 together while wrestling in Indiana. Washington was  fourth at the Fargo Cadet Greco National, and Second at NHSCA junior nationals. Washington also finished seventh at the Flo nationals, was third at the junior central regionals, and was an All - American at the Super 32 championships .Washington closed out his high school career with a third place finish  at the  Jr. Central Regionals, and was a national runner-up in  at the junior nationals.