Athlete Profile: Trenton Gibbons

The Pulaski High School wrestling team has been one of the top-ranked Division 1 teams over the past couple years. Trenton Gibbons, now a senior, is one of the wrestlers who has led the charge for the Red Raiders over that span.

Gibbons is a perfect 5-0 in Fox River Classic Conference matches this winter after landing on the all-conference first team last year. To cap his junior season, Gibbons placed second in the Division 1 182-pound weight class at state.

At the Bi-State Classic on Dec. 29-30, Gibbons placed third. His 6-1 record at the tough event was accomplished with four pins and two decisions.

Gibbons took second at the Marquette Challenge on Dec. 17 in Marquette, Michigan. He won a pair of tight decisions at the challenge.

The senior was ranked third at 182 pounds in the state in the latest version of the www.wisconsingrappler.com Division 1 rankings.

Q: When did your interest in wrestling begin?

A: My interest in wrestling started in first grade when my brother (Derek) started wrestling. I started wrestling the following year when I was in second grade.

Q: What has wrestling taught you over the years?

A: Wrestling has taught me that no matter how hard things get, just always keep pushing through and never give up.

Q: What is your favorite thing to do on the wrestling mat, and why?

A: Double leg, because it’s fun to pick people up.

Q: After placing second at state last year, do you have any individual goals you hope to accomplish by the end of the season, and how do you plan on achieving those goals?

A: My individual goal is to make it back to the finals at state. To achieve this goal I need to just keep working hard in practice and listening to my coaches to get better.

Q: While wrestling is primarily looked at as an individual sport, your team is also in the hunt for a conference title. What does the team need to keep doing over the final weeks of the regular season to secure the FRCC title?

A: As a team, we need to keep working hard in practice and doing our jobs during our dual meets.

Q: What would you consider your best strengths on the mat?

A: I think my best strength on the mat is staying calm even if I am losing and wrestling through every position and fighting for every point.

Q: As a senior, how do you try to lead the rest of your team?

A: I just try to always do what’s right and help them when they are wrestling.

Q: Before a match starts, do you or the team have any routines or rituals you go through?

A: My routine before every match is just to listen to music and I usually pace before my matches.

Q: What’s your favorite memory of competing on the Pulaski wrestling team?

A: One of my favorite memories is winning the Pulaski invite — just all my teammates being there to support and cheer me on.

Q: Name one thing about yourself that not many people know?

A: I really enjoy waterfowl hunting.

Q:What are some things you hope to accomplish after graduating high school?

A: Just keep working and get a degree once I know exactly what I want to do.

AT A GLANCE

Athlete: Trenton Gibbons

Sport: Wrestling

Weight class: 182 primarily, but also 195/220

School: Pulaski High School

Year: Senior