By Amanda Wester
borahsenator.com
Wrestling experienced a really good season last year according to coach Bill West. "They took second at state as a team and we had three state champs and three people who took second," he said. Every wrestler who placed at state is back again for this years season.
Dorian and DeVaughn Sapien are twin seniors who have both been wrestling since the age of six. "Our dad was our biggest influence," Dorian mentioned. Dorian said that the reason why he likes wrestling so much is because it is an individual sport. "I don't have to depend on anyone."
For DeVaughn, he likes that he gets to travel and meet new people along the way. The Sapien twins also mentioned how it has become a life style for them. They are both a part of All Star Wrestlers for team Idaho, and are practicing with the Junior Olympics. They have been by each others sides since they began wrestling, and they have become each others biggest competition. "We also cheer each other on," said DeVaughn.
"We're each others coaches when our real ones aren't around." Dorian placed first at state last year making it his second state title, and DeVaughn placed second.
One of DeVaughn's goals for this year is to get a third state title. Peter Huntsman, sophomore, will begin his second year on the varsity wrestling team this season. He started wrestling at the age of four. He placed first at state last year but it was not the biggest competition he has ever won. Huntsman won the Rollie Lane tournament which hosts teams from district 5A through 2A, teams from Oregon, Washington, and a few other states according to Huntsman.
Huntsman also has the chance to be the first Borah wrestler to win state all four years of high school. "I feel a lot of pressure knowing that," said Huntsman. Outside of wrestling Huntsman will play football, and outside of school he does a little bit of club wrestling.
Coach West is extremely proud of his team. "They are a group of kids who have a passion," said West.
His expectations for this year is for his team to do as well as they did last year. "I want us to be in the running again," said West. He also mentioned that "anything you want to achieve you have to work hard for." West wants to create a program that kids can be proud of, give them the same experience he has had, and to help them reach their potential.
Huntsman said that what is great about Borah wrestling is how hard the coaches make you work. West wants his boys to always remember to work harder than their opponents.
