Ponsler Set For Sophomore Campaign
SYRACUSE – Wrestling is a sport that is fueled by passion. As physically tough as the sport is, it is even more mentally taxing. At the beginning of any season, wrestling coaches see kids come and go as young men struggle to handle all of the demands that the sport tenders to its athletes. It truly takes a special kind of mind, body and personality to be a wrestler.
Wawasee’s Tristin Ponsler is one of those rare athletes that has the extra drive and passion to be a wrestler.
Ponsler, just a sophomore at Wawasee, is coming off of a successful freshman campaign and has already set the bar high for himself in his second year. He is a confident athlete, a successful student and a vocal leader for his young team.
Ponsler surprised many last year as he was the lone member of his senior-led team to qualify for semi-state last February. An accomplishment that the now sophomore is proud of, but not satisfied with.
“My goal is to get to state this year,” Ponsler started. “Last year was great, I really enjoyed making it out of the regional but I know that I can get further this year.”
Wawasee head coach Paul Meyer knows what a talent he has in Ponsler and attributes the sophomore’s work ethic to his wrestling bloodline.
“Tristan is just one of those kids that you love to have,” started Meyer. “He has an outstanding work ethic. He is a guy that has great wrestling lineage. What really sets him apart from a lot of guys is his heart. That kid has such a great passion for the sport and you know he is giving you his all at every practice and in every meet. He is as hard of a worker as there is.”
That hard work and competitive edge helped to set Ponsler apart from many wrestlers in the 113-pound weight class last season and get him to the semi-state level. The trip was an experience that Ponsler said he hopes he can share with his teammates this season. But the road for the sophomore will be a little tougher this year as he moves up from the 113-pound weight class to the 120-pound class.
“It will be a harder year for sure,” stated Meyer about Ponsler’s class change. “Tristin will be at 120 this year and that is a loaded weight class this year. There is a lot of ranked wrestlers right here, locally, in that class. It will be a tough road for Tristin to get back to semi-state this year but that just means he will have to work harder and he is capable of that.”
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Ponsler himself admitted he knows that the road will be tougher. But the sophomore’s competitive edge does not let a harder path to success deviate him from his goal. It only fuels the young Warrior to be stronger and more mentally consuming on the mat.
So, what is it that motivates this athlete to continually refine his ability and progress his young high school résumé? It might be more elementary than you think.
“I want to be the best,” said Ponsler. “I will not settle for anything less. I want to be a champion. Being the best is what motivates me.”