The Buffalo Bison wrestling team is a young squad, with just three juniors and one senior.
But they’re still enjoying success and improving almost weekly.
“As the year goes on, we’re starting to see some of that inexperience change to the consistency that we’ve been looking for,” said head coach Eric Nolan.
A big part of that is a pair of stud freshmen.
Through Feb. 1, Ethan Smith (106 lb.) was 38-2, and Floyd Miller (152 lb.) was 40-0.
“Their approach in matches is impressive to me,” Nolan said. “Mentally, they both act beyond their years. They don’t act like freshmen from a mental standpoint.”
That’s because they’re both vets of the youth circuit. Smith has been wrestling since age six, and Miller, eight.
“My dad just took me to practice one day,” Smith said. “I liked it, so I just kept going.”
Miller got started after seeing his brother wrestle in high school, and quickly realized he had a talent, one he credits his father for cultivating.
“My dad kind of took me over and said, ‘Ok, you know, if you really want to do this, then we’re going to work and you’re going to be the best you can be,’” Miller said.
Both mention state titles and college as goals, but Miller goes even a step further.
“My ultimate goal is to be an Olympic gold medalist,” he said. “I wanted that since I was eight after the talk with my dad.”
Whatever the goal, the process of achieving it starts on a small level.
“I get really focused on what I’m doing right then,” Smith said, of his pre-match routine. “I’m just thinking about that.”
Then, for Miller, he lets his confidence take over.
“When I walk out on the mat, I know I’m the best dude out there,” he said. “If they’re going to try to take that from me, they’re going to have to work for it.”
Ethan Smith and Floyd Miller are our latest Arby’s Athletes of the Week.
