Haines high schooler Hayden Jimenez placed third in his category at the Western States Championship, a wrestling competition that pits athletes from 25 states. The event took place in Idaho. Jimenez says the first part of the competition was hard on him. 

Jimenez: “The first three days were duels, so we just dueled every other state. That was a lot of matches, I got my but kicked a lot over and over and over.”

But the last day was more auspicious.

Jimenez: “On the last day, there is the folk style tournament, that’s what we do in school. It’s my jam, my strong suit. I just did good I guess. 

Jimenez went all the way to the semifinals, where he lost to his Hawaian opponent. Jimenez has been wrestling since the sixth grade, and he will start his senior year in the fall. Until then, he is traveling the country training and competing.He enjoys the sport.

Jimenez: “You are on a mat for six minutes, and there is nothing else that is important besides the person across from you, and you are just wrestling. It’s a very rewarding sport, but also very unforgiving.”

  He is preparing to compete later this month in the national tournament in Fargo, North Dakota.