Collinsville’s Nick Thompson

By Elizabeth Contreras

VYPE: Can you introduce yourself — what grade are you in and what weight class do you wrestle in?
Nick Thompson: My name is Nick Thompson. I am in the 10th grade, and I wrestle at 175.

VYPE: How did your journey into wrestling first begin, and what was it about the sport that made you want to stay with it long-term?
NT: My dad wrestled, and I wasn’t able to play football because of a medical issue. I like how aggressive wrestling is.

VYPE: Every athlete has a reason they fall in love with their sport. What do you personally love most about wrestling and what makes it stand out to you?
NT: What I enjoy most about wrestling is how physically demanding it is and also that it is a combat sport.

VYPE: Wrestling is known for being both physically and mentally tough — what motivates you to push through the hard days?
NT: What motivates me to push through the hard days is when my teammates push me, and I’m driven to accomplish my goals.

VYPE: Who has been the most influential person in your wrestling journey so far?
NT: The most influential person in my wrestling journey so far is my coach, Alek Kauffman.

VYPE: Before you step on the mat, do you have any specific pre-match rituals, routines, or habits that help you get into the right headspace?
NT: My pre-match routine is getting my mind right by listening to music.

VYPE: What’s your proudest wrestling moment to date?
NT: My proudest wrestling moment so far would be placing at the HS Yukon tournament as a freshman in my first high school wrestling tournament.

VYPE: How would you describe the culture of your team and your bond with your teammates?
NT: We all get along because we have the same goals in mind and spend a lot of time together during practices.

VYPE: What do you hope your coaches, teammates, and younger wrestlers remember about you once you’ve graduated?
NT: What I hope to be remembered by is that I was always ready to do hard work.