By Cambria Roth
Izaak Tobin is not your average incoming sophomore in high school.
Six days of the week, he drives an hour and a half to practice in Hillsboro and on days off, he runs. His work ethic is taking him places.
Tobin took first place at Oregon State Freestyle and Oregon State Greco wrestling tournaments. This month, Tobin will compete at the USA Freestyle, Greco/Roman National Championships in Fargo, N. D. as member of the Oregon National Wrestling Team.
“We are very proud of him and all of the efforts he puts into not only wrestling, but school, with almost a 4.0,” Silverton High School Athletic Secretary Colleen Heater said.
Tobin began wrestling in the fifth grade after attending a wrestling camp hosted by Silverton High School. From there the sport took hold.
“I enjoyed the challenge of something new and this sport was just super challenging, that is just my personality,” Tobin said.
In a fundraising letter, Silverton Mat Club Coach Bob Peters wrote “Once in a great while, a kid emerges from the ranks of the ordinary with more potential than can be measured. But even rarer still is the kid who has the drive, determination and stamina to utilize that potential to its fullest. Izaak is that kid.”
Peters introduced Tobin to the sport of wrestling and knew in a few weeks he would not be able to coach him for long.
“He would soon excel beyond my ability and would seek out coaching and practice partners that could keep up with his hunger for the sport,” Peters wrote. “This he has done, sacrificing endless hours traveling, practicing and competing though out the state, testing and training with the best the sport has to offer.”
Tobin credits his stepdad with his drive to continue wrestling beyond that camp. However, his mother Andi has taught him dedication as she drives him to practice.
Silverton High School’s varsity wrestling team placed fifth in the Mid-Willamette Conference this year with a score of 168. Tobin placed seventh in the 2010 OSAA/US Bank/Les Schwab Tires 5A Wrestling State championships as a freshman.
“This year, I really learned that anyone can be beaten, because I beat a national champion at state,” Tobin said. “I was so surprised that I had beaten him because he had beaten me three times already. I was just really proud.”
A trip to nationals was not a simple feat, it took time, technique, and commitment to get to where Tobin is today.
“I’ve focused a lot on my take downs and take down defense tactics,” Tobin said. “I get through matches by thinking about how other people are working hard and I just try to work harder than everyone else.”
Despite some nervous jitters, Tobin is proud to represent Oregon at nationals and hopes to continue his wrestling career in college.
“I have looked into Oregon State University for wrestling, but as of now, I’m really not sure. All I know is I really want to continue wrestling,” Tobin said.
The cost of the trip to Junior Nationals is $1,600 and Tobin is seeking for donations to sponsor him for the trip. Anyone interested helping can contact Tobin’s parents, Ken and Andi, at 503-873-8626 or at [email protected].
