Travon Starks, a senior wrestler, is headed to the Region 3 Championships this weekend after finishing second place in the heavyweight division at last week’s district meet. You might not recognize Starks without his football helmet — he was number 99 for the team this year.
Q: What is your favorite thing to do during weekends?
A: Well, most of the time I am working at CiCi’s. If I’m not at work, then I am most likely hanging out with my friends.
Q: Which sport is more physically demanding: football or wrestling?
A: For me, I would have to say wrestling. It takes more hard work and effort. If you get tired in the middle of a match, you can’t just take a break on the sidelines like you do in football.
Q: Who is your favorite musical artist?
A: Lil’ Wayne. He’s the best.
Q: Does the football or wrestling team take more of your time during the year?
A: Probably wrestling. We have way more wrestling tournaments and meets than we had football games.
Q: Do you have any advice for future students that are thinking about playing two different sports?
A: I would say to just try and stick with both sports. Don’t quit one of them because it gets hard. You should try and do as much as you can while you are in high school.
Q: Which would you rather have had: a football state championship or a wrestling state championship?
A: I would rather have won it in football. Actually, if we could win a team wrestling championship, I would rather have that one. I don’t care so much about winning an individual title. If we won in either sport as a team, then not only do I win, but others do too. Players who help out but don’t get as much recognition as others would also get to shine. One player doesn’t need to take all the credit.
Q: What is the key to you being able to move on to the state tournament?
A: Basically, I need to wrestle hard and try not to get put on my back.
Q: Do your football skills ever help you wrestle better?
A: Yeah, both sports help me train for the other. During wrestling, that’s where I keep in shape, and in football, I get bigger and stronger.
