By Ken Hansard
Senior Steven Brown, a highly decorated wrestler at 285 for the Shawnee Mission Northwest Cougars, came from humble beginnings on the mat, but with a lot of sweat and effort, he now has some incredible accomplishments to build on during his final high school season.
Brown finished last season with a 29-4 record, placing fourth at the KSHSAA State Tournament. He is also currently closing in on his 100th career win. But success did not necessarily come easily to Brown; he had to work for it, “I started wrestling when I was 10. Honestly, I didn’t win a match until my second year, but something clicked after that, and my progress skyrocketed. Wrestling taught me that hard work and persistence can overcome any obstacle.”
As of this writing, Steven is 26-1 this season and currently ranked Number One in Kansas 6A at 285. Despite that success, Brown is taking nothing for granted, “Every match at the heavyweight division is a challenge because one mistake can cost you. Staying focused and executing my game plan consistently is key.”
When all is said and done, Brown simply wants to make the most of his senior year, both athletically and from the aspect of being a good teammate, “The opportunity to make a run at state alongside the guys I’ve worked with means everything to me. I see myself as a team captain and a leader. I try to set an example both on and off the mat, whether that’s pushing hard in practice or supporting my teammates during their matches.”
With championship season fast approaching, Brown likes the position he is in right now, “I feel like I’m wrestling my best right now. My 26-1 record reflects the hard work I’ve put in, and I’m peaking at the right time heading into the most important part of the season.”
Steven also competes in football and rugby and says, “All three sports have taught me different things about toughness, teamwork, and dedication.”
Brown carries a 3.1 GPA and says of life after high school. “I’m planning on wrestling in college and pursuing a career as a sports medicine physician. I want to stay connected to athletics and help athletes recover from injuries and perform at their best.”
