CALLAN CALDWELL-FORT GIBSON
His mom got him into wrestling at the age of four to build his self-confidence and now as a sophomore at Fort Gibson, Callan Caldwell has gained that self-confidence and is well on his way to achieving a great career.
“I used to be really small and lacked self-confidence, so my mom got me into wrestling. I went 0-2 in my first OKWA tournament but found that I really liked it. Over the years I wrestled OKWA events as we moved from Hulbert to Fort Gibson to Salina and finally back to Fort Gibson when I was in seventh grade. I placed third in all state when I was in seventh and ninth grade and so it helped prepare me to wrestle at the high school level. In middle school the competition was either really good or really bad and there wasn’t much middle ground. But this year it’s been a lot more balanced. My only loss was to a guy from Blackwell in the Cushing tournament. I’ve wrestled him several times over the years and always lost but this year’s match was the closest I’ve gotten to beating him. As I look back, I would have to say that my mom has been my role model growing by getting me started in wrestling and supporting me all these years. I know I wouldn’t be where I am today without that support.”
And where he is today is well on his way to a possible state title at 106 pounds where he is ranked number one with a 27-1 record at this writing.
“This year I’ve been working on doing better when I’m in the down position. My top riding is pretty good and I’m pretty good on my feet, but I need to be better at getting out of the down position. I started the season hoping to go undefeated and even though that’s gone, I’d still like to win every match by at least six points and win district, dual state and be a state champ.”
His coach Sammy Johnson feels he can do it.
“I’ve got a lot of high expectations for him to win it all this year. He was a small 106 pounds last year and had to wrestle guys that were 10 or 15 pounds heavier but this year he’s really grown into his weight, and his results are showing that difference.”
