Seth Nutting, Senior Lake City High School
Anyone who chooses to compete in wrestling needs to be tough. Training sessions for this sport are usually the most intense of all, and being in constant physical contact with your opponent requires strength, endurance and mental toughness. It might sound like a club where only the most macho need apply, but as Lake City high school senior Seth Nutting explains, the experience revolves around a supportive team, and effort is most important.
“What I enjoy about my particular sport the most isn’t glory or being the baddest guy in the room. It’s the passion and heart that everyone has for each other and this team. To hear your entire team cheer for you as you’re pinning the opponent feels amazing, and at that point it doesn’t matter how popular you are or if you’re on JV; once you walk in that wrestling room and put in effort you are family to us,” he said.
Seth is an accomplished wrestler, having placed fourth in state during his junior season and also placing twice in the tri-state tournament—known as the most challenging tournament in the Northwest. He also holds the Lake City school record for takedowns in a season with 116. Despite reaching the upper echelon of his sport, Seth says he still works through many challenges in order to compete at his best. “The biggest challenge I’m still dealing with today is these weird mental blockades that just stick around for what seems forever, but then you really focus on breaking through that blockade, and when you do it’s the best feeling ever,” he explained.
By his own admission, Seth did not have the best year academically during his freshman year, but since then he’s worked hard to maintain a 3.0 GPA or higher each year. This will help him reach his goal of continuing his wrestling career at the collegiate level, wherever that might be. He has an interest in biological and environmental science, and can envision himself working in the woods for the forestry department.
Seth says he is forever grateful to the Lake City coaching staff for believing in him and challenging him. “No matter how down you may be or how much of a screwup you may be, if someone believes in you, like my head coach did, they will go to the ends of the earth to make sure you believe and go out there and succeed in life. He showed me what it’s like to really be a man in life, and I can’t thank him enough,” said Seth.
Devon Johnson, Senior Coeur d’Alene High School Those following Coeur d’Alene High School athletics are accustomed to seeing Devon Johnson compete. The three-sport athlete rarely has time off, whether it’s football in the fall, basketball in the winter or baseball come spring. The senior has experienced a lot over his career including a serious injury he had to overcome. “I sustained a knee injury in football this season, and that took roughly four weeks out of my basketball season. Having to sit there and watch was very difficult,” said Devon. “But I got surgery and have been back in full swing after I got cleared.”
This injury late in his high school career could have derailed him, but participating in sports year-round has taught Devon the mental strength and commitment each season takes. “Playing sports has taught me many things and helped me have the mental strength to overcome many challenges that I may have had a different view of otherwise,” he said.
While a few other students at CHS participate in sports throughout the school year, each team is different and presents its own unique challenges in coming together for a common goal. According to Devon, it’s one of his favorite aspects about high school athletics. “I just love being out in the field or court with a good group of guys and being a part of something that is bigger than me as an individual. Seeing this unfold as a team is one of the coolest things I have experienced as an athlete.”
Devon is equally devoted in the classroom, carrying at least a 3.3 GPA throughout his time at Coeur d’Alene High School. This helped him earn a baseball scholarship offer from Spokane Falls Community College, which he plans to accept and will enroll this fall. While baseball will be a major focus of his post high school life, he hopes to also utilize what he’s learned in competition and training in his professional life as well. “Kinesiology is a career I am looking into because being an athlete has helped me understand my body and a job where I can help other people do the same,” he explained.
Devon is in the midst of his final baseball season as a high schooler; one more chance to see his team unfold before him and be a part of something bigger than himself.