Last season, senior Zach Callahan was named a National All-American for wrestling, a sport he had only been participating in for three years. In fact, the only reason he became involved in wrestling in the first place was to improve his football skills.

“[The coaches] told me wrestling would help with football, so I decided to join freshman year,” Callahan said. “Part of the reason was [because] I really liked coach [Travis] Keal’s personality and his work ethic.”

Since his freshman year, Callahan says his wrestling skills have improved dramatically.

“I’ve definitely come a long ways since freshman year,” Callahan said. “I think I won three matches that year. I committed myself to showing up to practice every day, doing offseason stuff, and just a lot of extra work. [Wrestling has] taught me footwork and how to keep a low center of gravity.

Callahan was named a team captain this season, and has taken on the role of giving the team pep-talks and getting everyone pumped up.

“Before every competition I talk to [the team],” Callahan said. “Just ‘wrestle your best and use what we learn in practice.’”

Because he wrestles last in the line-up and at times the team’s score rides on his shoulders, his leadership role comes with many responsibilities.

“I like to be out in front,” Callahan said. “It doesn’t really affect me. I like it because if the dual comes down to me it gives me a little extra push to win.”

Regardless of his wrestling success, Callahan has decided to focus on football after high school. He signed to play for Northwest Missouri State next season.

“[I chose] football because I just have more interest in it and I feel like I am better at football than I am at wrestling,” Callahan said. “But I’ll probably come back over break and work with the high schoolers during their wrestling season.”