Nolan Richie's ability to finish off his opponents has helped his team to a quick start.
The Webster wrestler picked up his first four wins of the season, three of them by pin, as the Bearcats won all four of its duals and captured the team championship at the Clark-Willow Lake Tournament last Saturday. For his efforts, Richie is the American News Athlete of the Week.
Richie uses a simple formula when wrestling and its produced an 83-2 record and two state titles over the past two seasons. His three wins via pin followed the same guidelines.
"Just staying aggressive and using my conditioning, and keep going at them," Richie said.
Mental preparation is a big part of wrestling, and Richie has his own routine before he steps on the mat.
"I like to wrestle the match in my head first, focus, stay calm and just wrestle," he said. "I like to joke around a little so I don't get too much pressure and freeze."
Richie, 16, is surrounded by a talented group of wrestlers who work as hard in practice as they do on the mat. One of them is his brother, Logan, who wrestles at 113 pounds.
"He's my drill partner," Nolan said. "When he is having trouble with a move, he'll ask about it and we'll work on it together."
One former Bearcat who Nolan has looked up to is six-time state champion Logan Storley, who currently wrestles for the University of Minnesota. Richie tries to emulate Storley on the mat and received valuable advice when the two were teammates.
"We used to have our own little sessions after practice," Richie said. "He told me to stay aggressive, stay positive and don't overthink. Always have fun and work on fundamentals. Focus on the little things and big things will come."
Webster coach Wade Rausch noted that Richie is a determined wrestler who knows what he wants and goes after it.
"He's a hard-working kid and very focused on his goals and what he's trying to accomplish," Rausch said. "As young as he is, he is a very good leader for being a sophomore and does a nice job of helping out others. He's very confident and it's fun to watch him compete."
Both Nolan and Logan have plenty of influences in the sport, including their dad, who knows what its like to be a champion as well.
"My dad really pushed us to wrestle," Nolan said. "He wrestled for Deuel and was a state champion. He likes to study the game and pass on what he learned."
An undefeated season is on the list of goals that Richie has made for himself, along with breaking the record for all-time pins held by former Rapid City wrestler Randy Lewis. Another team title for Webster is also a goal. Richie said wrestling for a program such as Webster has a deep meaning and he is proud to be part of it.
"It gives you a lot of pride and makes you want to do your best every time -- to keep the tradition going," Richie said.
Personal
Family: Parents, Leslie and Jason, brother Logan (14), sisters Abby (10) and Emily (8).
Favorite team: Minnesota Gophers Wrestling
Other sports: Rodeo.
Hobbies: Paintball, swimming, tubing.
Toughest opponent: Jordan Shearer of West Fargo.
Favorite athletic memory: "Winning two state championships."