JEFF FIELDER Editor
GERING – Jacob Awiszus, a senior at Gering High School, is Nspire Today!’s Male Athlete of the Month for January. He’s one of the state’s best wrestlers, and he’s also involved in football and track and field. In wrestling, he’s qualified for state three times, including placing third his sophomore year at 160 pounds and his junior year at 170. This year he’s wrestling at 182, and he’s rated in the top three in his weight class in Class B. He had an undefeated record going into the holiday break. In football, Awiszus played middle linebacker. He earned all-conference and all-district honors his junior and senior years. In track and field, he competes in the 400 and 800. He went to the state meet last season as an alternate. Also at school, Awiszus is involved in student council, HOSA, FCA, LEO Club, and National Honor Society, and he’s the president of his class. Outside of school, he’s involved in the youth group at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Scottsbluff, and he’s a volunteer coach for the Gering Wrestling Club. He has a 3.833 GPA. After graduating from high school, he plans to wrestle and major in physical therapy at the University of Nebraska at Kearney. His parents are Arthur and Tarra Awiszus.
Q: How has your wrestling season been going?
AWISZUS: “It’s been going pretty good. I was undefeated [going into the holiday break], so I was pretty happy with that.”
Q: What are your goals this season?
AWISZUS: “My goals are to go undefeated and win a state championship. Also, I want to get 34 pins, which would break the school record for pins in a season (106, held by Nate Rocheleau) and for a career. Also, if I go undefeated, that would tie the school record for best season record. I also want to get my 150th win, which would be one of the all-time best records at Gering High School.”
Q: Which of those school records would mean the most to you?
AWISZUS: “Having an undefeated record would be awesome because Brock Smith, who is one of our assistant coaches now, currently holds the school record. He went 38-0.”
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