| What if you could go back and give advice to your younger self? If I could talk to 4-year-old Superman-caped Drake, I’d tell him one thing—celebrate the journey, not just the results. Wrestling has been my passion for as long as I can remember. From when I was four years old, running around my living room in a Superman cape, to now competing on some of the biggest high school stages in the country, this sport has shaped me into the wrestler I am today. My journey has taken me from my childhood hometown of Elko, Nevada, to Las Vegas, where I moved in eighth grade to train under Coach Chase Pami at Gold Rush Wrestling Academy. That decision was one of the best I’ve ever made, pushing me to levels I never imagined. |
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| As a youth wrestler, I bounced around from club to club, never really having a true wrestling home. Eventually, my parents started a youth club in our hometown with about 30 wrestlers, and we practiced in my grandparents’ garage. While I had a wrestling family, I never had the kind of structured, high-level environment I knew I needed to reach my full potential. I loved wrestling, but I knew I needed more. Leaving Elko wasn’t just about training—it was about chasing something bigger. |
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| I was fortunate to be coached by Coach Ed Sorgani, who played a significant role in my development as a youth wrestler. When my family moved from Elko to Las Vegas, the Sorganis moved from Reno to Las Vegas the same week. Having a familiar face and a coach I already knew made a huge difference in adjusting to a new city and new training environment. Before moving, my mom and I would drive to Nevada Elite in Reno during my older elementary years to sharpen my skills. Those experiences, families, and training partners laid the foundation for the wrestler I am today. I have been truly blessed to have trained with amazing coaches and to have been able to do work in wrestling rooms all over the state. Nevada is truly home, and wrestling is my WHY. |
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| That WHY was tested in February of my sophomore year when I severely injured my shoulder in practice. I had to face the heartbreaking possibility that my body might not allow me to wrestle anymore. I missed competing at Fargo, attended daily physical therapy, and met with several orthopedic surgeons—all of whom suggested surgery. Even with treatment, my shoulder wasn’t improving. Then, in October of that year, our family faced some challenges, and in December, we attended a conference where we were connected with a man named Brian Bradley. He was able to fix what was broken with my shoulder without surgery. That moment, completely changed my perspective. |
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| That experience is the reason I’ve chosen Kinesiology as my future path. It showed me the power of fixing the body without cutting into it—through exercise, patience, and more faith than I was used to having. Now, as a junior at SLAM Nevada, I carry a weighted 3.8 GPA while taking dual enrollment courses in English, History, and Math. I’ve been fortunate to win three individual Nevada State Titles and three Team State Titles, making our team one of the most successful in Nevada wrestling history. We have been recognized as “Team of the Year” by the Las Vegas Sun for two consecutive years, and I’ve earned First-Team All-State honors all three of my high school years. |
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| From a young age, I knew I wanted to be a Four-Time Nevada State Champion, wrestle at the Division I level, and help elevate Nevada wrestlers onto the National Stage. I saw success at some bigger tournaments my sophomore year, but the summer before my junior year was when I truly grew. Between those two years, I made personal commitments to myself to do and be better in all aspects of my life—academically, athletically, and personally. Those commitments showed in my performance on the mat, and I started seeing the results of the work I put in. Taking Runner-Up at the prestigious Powerade tournament in Pennsylvania and securing key wins over higher-ranked opponents fueled my drive even more. |
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| One of my biggest life lessons is that success at the highest level requires much more than just a good skill set. The recruitment process is intense, and success takes discipline, consistency, and a willingness to grow. At first, the recruiting process was overwhelming. I started with 47 schools on my list. Through prayer, deep consideration of coaching staff and team values, and comparing those values to my personal goals, I’ve been able to narrow that list considerably. For any younger wrestler going through recruiting, my advice would be this—know what matters to you. It’s not just about big names or rankings. It’s about finding a place that aligns with your goals and values, and the WRESTLER you want to be. I haven’t made a final college commitment yet, but I feel incredibly blessed that the offers continue to come in. I am enjoying the process now of finding my home for the next 5 years. |
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| Again, if I could tell little 4-year-old Superman-caped-wrestling for the belt Drake anything, it would be to celebrate the journey—not always focus on the result. Another key lesson I’ve learned is that I didn’t always have to win—I just had to do the work and have THE WILL TO WIN. My love for this sport has been my guiding force. Wrestling is my WHY. |
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| Lastly, I want to thank my parents and my sister Alauna for always being my biggest fans-even when I am cutting weight. I want to thank every coach who has ever sat in my corner and coached me and every training partner who has made me better. Every single wrestling Mom or Dad that supported me when I needed it the most. I know I wouldn’t be the wrestler I am without all of you. |
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| Looking ahead, my goals have evolved. I want to compete in a Great College, major in Kinesiology and Business, and eventually follow in my parents’ footsteps by owning my own businesses. Hard work, personal dedication, and relentless work ethic have always been my foundation, and I’m grateful for the wrestling family that surrounds me. Thanks to their support, I am currently ranked #14 in the country, and I have no plans to stop climbing—I’m coming for that top spot. And I won’t stop until I get there. |
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| Link to Drake Hooiman Part 1 Bio |
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