The light haze of lights on a Friday night shines down, on the field sophomore D-lineman Andrew Olsen walks onto the field getting ready for another rough and physical drive on the defensive side of the ball. Not only does Olsen play varsity football, but he also has been wrestling on varsity at the heavyweight level since 8th grade. Olsen attributes all of his success to God saying, “These gifts were given to me by God and I do all of this for him.”
The overall impact of being a two-sport varsity athlete as a sophomore is good. From the experience of competing on the level in front of a varsity crowd and given the pressure that comes with it to the friends and connections he makes, it all adds to a net positive at the end of the day.
“You definitely feel like you’re looked down upon when you first start out, but once you show you belong people start to accept you,” Olsen said. This explains the feeling Olsen had when he first started on a varsity team.
Family, friends and coaches played a massive part in Olsen picking the sport he plays from his brother playing football before him to his football coach who also happened to be the wrestling coach at the University of Minnesota. All these factors have led Olsen to where he is now.
“I got into them because of my brother who started before me,” Olsen said. “Then my third-grade football coach said I should go into wrestling.”
Olsen has shown on many occasions that his work ethic is a big reason he is where he is today. In the last year, Olsen has gotten exponentially better at both of his sports.
“I think he’s really determined,” sophomore wrestler Noah Nicholson said. “He really enjoys his sports and he puts all his faith into what he does.”
Olsen has a leadership mentality. For example, during the football season, Olsen’s job on the D-line required him to lead by example and pick up blocks so his teammates could do their job. The way he acts on and off the field reflects well on his character.
Another trait that Olsen has that can be seen very easily while watching him play is his motivation to do what he does. When he is competing, has a motivation unlike most other high schoolers around him. He plays football and wrestles like it is his last match.
“He prepares himself like he’s going into battle for both sports … his preparation sets him apart from a lot of other people,” Caballero Said.
Olsen is going to bring all this intensity into the upcoming wrestling season, “The goal for this year is Obviously to qualify for state with the ultimate goal of winning the state tournament as just a sophomore.”
