Steven Zettel '15 Recruiting Profile

7/2013

At less than six months old my parents loaded me up on a horse and headed into the Idaho wilderness for two and a half months. My first six years were spent with my parents and their business in the Frank Church River of No return Wilderness, On the Middle Fork of the Salmon River or the waters around the Florida Keys. Then came wrestling. I became a year around wrestler in a small town in Idaho, two and a half hours from the nearest serious wrestling partner or large town for that matter. I am proud of the fact that I have still been able to reach the podium dozens of times at the Idaho state tournaments for Greco, Freestyle and Folk style, winning eight times, went 12/3 at Schoolboy Duals, I have placed in all three styles at Western regionals and have been a national freestyle All American. I won High School State as a freshman and have only been taken down one time in two State tournaments unfortunately that take down caused me to take third as a sophomore.

My junior year I came to the realization that my small town school had never produced a successful college wrestler nor were they willing to provide the academics necessary for me to achieve my goal of becoming a doctor. With my parents’ consent I moved seven hours from home to one of the largest schools in Idaho. Consequently I lost my ability to compete at the State tournament my junior year, 2014.

I have been a dedicated wrestler for the past decade.  I have been serious injury free and have not been in trouble with the law or in school except for a minor mishap several years ago involving a soda can in shop class.  I spend my summers wrestling, working with my parents in their wilderness outfitting business and carrying heavy back pack loads in the Alaskan wilderness for an outfitter friend of the family.

One of my most recent achievements of which I was extremely honored to be awarded was "Mr Heart".  This is an annual award that my new team in Post Falls awarded me.  It is voted on by the entire team and it is in recognition of the wrestler whom is the heart of the team.

I believe that I am a natural leader and I always have been since I was very young. I have always helped younger wrestlers when I can because  I believe that is the way to inspire kids in the sport. I also truly love the sport and I want it to continue to grow.

I now attend Post Falls High School. I’m surrounded by like minded wrestlers and coaches. My classes are advanced and my grades improve daily. For the first time in my life I feel that my athletics and academics are on track with my goal to become a successful college student/athlete wrestler. I am excited, motivated and truly believe my best wrestling is ahead of me. 

In my video. The first match I am wrestling a 5A state qualifier at the weight class above me. In the second match I'm wrestling the 132 lb 3rd place finisher in 5A state.