"I love the work aspect of the sport," said this week's SportsInk.com's Athlete of the Week, Brad Squire.
Brad is a four-year member of the nationally ranked Wadsworth wrestling team and has accumulated 115 wins in his four years on the team. "The training hours and keeping the weight are tough but the payoff is big when you get on the map," he said.
Brad's wrestling career began in the youth Wadsworth program, where he won two national tournaments before the age of 10. "My dad was a one who took us everywhere if we decided to do someting and he did," he said. "I tried a lot of sports when I was young but I always came back to wrestling."
Brad jumped into the wrestling scene quickly as he won a state title as a freshmen, completing a 34-0 season. He finished second in the state as a sophomore and took a sixth place finish last year as a junior. "That match as a freshmen when I won the state title in overtime was a moment I will never forget."
So far this season Brad is 16-0 and his goal is simple: winning another state crown. "145 will be tough, but I know I can do it."
Brad broke his hand before the undefeated freshmen season and had knee surgery in the middle of his junior year, yet he has still put together a 115-7 career mark at Wadsworth.
Many colleges are looking his way for wrestling, but at this time Brad is keeping his options open. He not only looks to wrestle in college but also would like to get into the medical field.
Scott and Cindy Squire should feel good knowing that all those miles they put on the vehicle during Brad's early years have paid off for him on the mat and off.