The roar of the crowd fades. The whistle blows. And in the center of the mat, one wrestler refuses to back down.
While most people see a six-minute match, they don’t see the early mornings, the grueling practices or the relentless drive that builds a champion long before the spotlight hits. This month’s Athlete of the Month didn’t just win matches but earned every second on that mat. Junior Wes Weatherford began his interest in wrestling from a friend who encouraged him to try it out in fourth grade. Good thing he stuck with it because Weatherford now has much bigger goals than ever before.
In a sport built on discipline, endurance and mental toughness, Weatherford has emerged as a standout competitor whose work ethic and leadership define what it means to be a wrestler. Weatherford’s journey to success is rooted not in shortcuts or natural talent alone, but in persistence, dedication and a deep respect for the grind that wrestling demands. Weatherford said, “Success isn’t always getting first, but it’s achieving the little goals you set out for yourself throughout the season.”
For Weatherford, wrestling is more than competition; it’s a test of discipline both on and off the mat. Balancing practices, competitions and schoolwork is a challenge many student-athletes face, yet he approaches it with a straightforward mindset. “I really do not know how I juggle everything,” Weatherford said. “I just try and get all my schoolwork done at school.” That focus on responsibility reflects the mentality that has helped him develop as an athlete.
Weatherford believes improvement comes only through effort which has led him to qualifying for state this past season. Assistant wrestling coach, Kevin Aughenbaugh said “Qualifying for state is a big deal in wrestling. Placing in state is a huge challenge and seeing how much Wes continues to grow and improve year after year. I truly look forward to seeing him on the podium next year at state. Go get it Wes!” Weatherford remains focused on the same mindset that first drew him to the sport years ago. “Wes never set out to be a leader, but his personality, dedication, and ability made him someone others want to follow,” father of Wes, Glenn Weatherford said, “He leads by example and sets a standard for those around him.” said Weatherford. Wrestling isn’t just about the matches; it’s about the effort behind them and the standard he hopes to leave for the wrestlers who follow.
