| Drake Hooiman is a 13-year old 7th grader attending Adobe Middle School in Elko, Nevada. He is the little brother to Alauna–age 14, and big brother to Moose and Bea, their families two French Bulldogs. His dreams of wrestling stardom began at the tender age of 4. Drake would dress up in a Superman costume and cape, I would flicker the lights and introduce him in my best Bruce Buffer voice. “Ladies and Gentleman, IT’S TIME!! Please welcome, at 36 pounds, wrestling for the belt… Drake Hooiman!!!” Drake would run through the living room giving high fives to everyone, and bust out his most perfect (completely and totally wrong moves looking back…but who’s judging) wrestling moves for all to see. |
| |
| Winter came, and it was time for his first real practice. He took one look at that room full of kids and decided that wrestling was not for him. We bribed him with a candy bar, if he would only stay for one practice. He reluctantly agreed and in hindsight, that was one of the best parenting decisions we ever made. After a year and a half wrestling at other clubs, Drake had great local success. He and his family were introduced to Coach Floyd Chacon, and his basement wrestling crew. Coach Chacon saw potential in Drake and his natural athletic abilities. Drake began wrestling for Battle Born Wrestling Academy and that was when Drake truly found his wrestling family-our wrestling family. He was the little guy in the wrestling room that watched every single match and always wanted to make the older boys proud. His biggest role models, on and off the mat, were Beau, Kobe, Terron, Chase and Zeth. Drake learned from them how to maintain control after a loss, to learn from his mistakes and turn them into strengths, and how to win and lose humbly. Drake eats, sleeps and breathes this sport and has been blessed with lifetime friends from all across the country. |
| |
| Drake has had some amazing coaches who believed in him and taught him the importance of being a student of the sport. He has been richly blessed to learn from them. If you have ever had the opportunity to talk to Drake, you know that he is a walking encyclopedia of wrestling knowledge and stats. When we attend national tournaments, Drake knows everyone and everyone knows him. He loves to work with the younger kids coming up in the sport, and often stays after his practices to help coach the littles. It is heartwarming to see Drake come full circle, to make the transition to older teammate, and be the example to the younger generation of wrestlers as his role models were for him. This knowledge and excitement for the sport was instilled in Drake from the first time he stepped on the mat for those men, we as a family, are forever grateful! Drake now has the opportunity to be coached by Joey Lavallee. Coach Lavallee’s wealth of wrestling knowledge, his personal values and coaching abilities have taken Drake to an entirely new level within the sport. |
| |
| After 9 years of blood, sweat and some tears, Drake will tell you “What you do in the practice room transfers to the mat.” Wrestling has given Drake a purpose. It has taught him discipline, respect and humility. Not only is he a great athlete, he is a successful student and is often asked to fill leadership roles in the classroom. He has represented his classmates in Spelling Bee’s, Geography Bee’s and has been awarded Student of the Month and Quarter. Wrestling has helped him realize his dream of attending college and after completing his own personal wrestling bucket list, he wants to become a youth wrestling coach and one day become a business owner. As a little boy, Drake was a very shy and timid towards those outside of our family. This sport broke his shell. His drive is on and off the mat. This summer he went door to door soliciting yard work and made over $3,000 during the summer months. We credit his now outgoing personality and drive to his love of wrestling. |
| |
| Anyone that knows Drake knows he is the ultimate prankster and is FULL of Dad jokes. Once at a National Tournament, Drake’s dad, Eric drew moustaches on several of the boys with a black sharpie, and they all wrestled the entire tournament looking like goof balls. I am certain that if he could, he would do this at every tournament! Drake has a giant and loving heart, and as his mama, these are some of the qualities that I admire most in him. We are so proud of his wrestling accomplishments, but being along for the ride, and watching Drake grow into a stellar human being, is the greatest blessing of all. The personal values of hard work, personal dedication, work ethic and the WILL TO WIN are all attributes that he will carry with him for the rest of his life. We have this sport, its people and amazing coaches to thank for that! |
| |
| |
