Norman North’s Hayden Vickrey
It takes a different mentality to be a wrestler. No other sport works as hard as wrestlers work. No other sport requires an individual to physically compete in a one-on-one match with the goal of physically dominating your opponent. Norman North’s Hayden Vickrey is in his senior season and wrestling at 144-pounds this season. Vickrey started wrestling when he was three years old.
“The best memory is constantly thinking about all the practices with my friends and just doing what we love. The camaraderie of a good team,” said Vickrey.
Never satisfied with his skill set, Vickrey has continued to work hard and improve his abilities on the mat.
“I think my strength is my leg attacks and I started the season wrestling defensively so I’m getting back to what I’m good at to win matches,” said Vickrey.
The Norman North wrestlers are all working hard to get wins in duals for head coach Justin DeAngelis.
“My teammate Kyler Lester impresses me all the time, he’s very talented and fun to wrestle alongside,” Vickrey said. “I think Norman North is a safe space for all people and very inclusive, also we have the best wrestling coach any athlete could ask for in Mr. Justin “The Italian Stallion” DeAngelis.”
“Hayden Vickrey will be a senior leader for us this year. He is finding his voice to become a more vocal leader but has always led through his actions both on and off the mats. Vickrey has truly been focused on growing as an athlete for this team and that has reflected in the effort and time he has spent to not only build himself up but to help the team grow as a whole,” said coach DeAngelis.
Preparing for a match is something every wrestler faces. How they prepare is always different. Wrestling is a mental sport and if your head is straight, you will perform well.
“I just workout and wrestle really hard so I can have confidence I’m good to go and in the best shape possible,” said Vickrey.
Vickrey said he loves being part of the team and the larger Norman North family.
“What I love most about my teammates is that we have fun and bond over the fact we’re all suffering together,” said Vickrey.
Once his high school days come to an end, Vickrey said he will continue to do all the things that have helped him get to where he is today as a student, friend and member of his family.
“To keep it simple I just want to be present in relationships, conversations, hard work, hard times, fun times, anything I’m doing just making sure I’m enjoying it and focusing on the task at hand.”
