An episode at Fairfax High School in 1988 prefigured the grit and resilience of John Bennet Curtis.

Ranked #1 statewide before districts, he tore his ACL, typically a season-ender.

Instead, Curtis consulted a well-known specialist, slapped on a state-of-the-art knee brace, beat some good wrestlers, and qualified for states. Before every match that month, he would consult the Old Testament's advice to Joshua: “Be strong, and of a good courage.” After a redshirt rehab at George Mason University, he took advantage of all that hard work could grant him, finishing as a two-time NCAA All-American for the Patriots, finishing seventh and eighth.

After high school and college, most wrestlers step back from combat and serve the sport through coaching, officiating, or volunteering. For Curtis, however, the period from 1993 to 2000 was his exploration of all possibilities. He learned much from his mentor Dave Schultz at the preeminent Foxcatcher program, made the United States National Team and qualified for the 1996 Olympic Trials in 1996, and toured the world with the Christian group Athletes in Action, combining charity with competition. But his boldest venture was professional fighting, beginning mixed martial arts in his late 30s. His local following loved it and because of his tree-maintenance business, his sobriquet was “Treeman,” which also described his height and arm length.

All this while, he was building a life with wife Karen, and their five kids (River, Beau, Callie, Addie, and Willow). As his body began to express reluctance at the constant pounding, he switched readily to informal coaching stints, first for Mason High School, then for the Capital Area Wrestling League, and finally, the Marauders, a youth team located in the area of Battlefield High School, where his kids attended. His boys took eagerly to their dad’s sport, winning six state titles between them. Curtis' commitment reached a memorable peak when, accompanied by admiring press coverage, he created a purpose-built wrestling facility open to all comers on his property.

Johnny’s mission, throughout all his adventures, has been to build character in young people. His strong Christianity, preached and practiced, lends him the ecumenical messages of hope, fortitude, and caring that he shares with his charges.

In 2023, he was inducted as an inaugural member of the George Mason Wrestling Hall of Fame.