Athlete of the Month
Dawson Downing

Pictures and Content courtesy of Dawson Downing and Jim Thrall/Mat Focus

My wrestling journey started when I was 5 years old. My Dad (James Downing) wrestled in college and had a passion for wrestling. He jumped in head first with me by becoming a coach at Centennial Bulldogs. Within a few years, we turned the club into Team Vegas and became the second best club in Vegas–with our rivals being team Green Valley. Throughout the years I competed at a National level making good achievements. A few of these achievements were: -4x Nevada Triple Crown State Champion. -National Kids All American -US Open Cadet Greco Champion -Reno Worlds Runner-Up -2x Western Regionals Champion -2x Cal Republic Champion -Battle for the Belt Champion(MS)
Starting my high school career I attended Arbor View high school. I was a top contender as a freshmen, beating seniors who placed at State. The opportunity to wrestle at State was stripped from me due to zone variance problems. This drove me to work harder and come back for the State Title the next year. After months of extensive morning and afternoon practices, I found myself in the State Finals. I was matched up against Mason Campbell from Bishop Gorman. The match went into overtime with both of us almost getting out of bounds take-downs. Having the determination and will to tell myself, “I’m winning this match no matter what” gave me the power to pull through. With the whole stadium packed and the crowd surrounded around the mat, I scored a toe- in take-down to win the match. This moment was like none other and one that I’ll never forget.
That’s where my high school career ended. After meeting my soon to be wife (Jenny) and wanting to pursue other passions like film, I decided to take time away from wrestling. After high school I attended CSN for film to get more education. After CSN, Jenny and I converted a cargo van into a tiny home. We traveled the U.S. for over a half a year, but then we sold the van. After this, we had time on our hands.
My Dad worked his way up in the wrestling community becoming the Nevada State Chairman for 7 years, and the SNWA President for 3 years. He then got the opportunity to become a college coach here in Las Vegas. The UNLV wrestling program was down for the count with no funding and no one to run it. That’s when my Dad stepped up and made it a reality. With time on my hands, I decided to wrestle with him for a season. I soon found out I was really out of shape, but my technique was like second nature.
Through months of hard work I found myself at College Nationals. This was the time I got to compete at the highest level again. I won my first two matches to find myself in the quarterfinals against the previous champion. I ended up losing the match by one point, and I knew I had to battle my way back through. I ended up becoming an NCWA College All–American which was my goal! Wrestling has taught me invaluable lessons that I’ll carry throughout my whole life. I’m thankful to have had all my experiences in wrestling, and also to all the people that have supported me through it. I wouldn’t be able to name all the people who have helped and supported me, but they know who they are.