Zane Holder has been wrestling for the past five years, and in that time he has proven himself to be a strong force and leader among his teammates.

Holder is now the captain of the Sonoraville High School wrestling team, a team that is ranked second in the AA this season. Just last weekend SHS beat LaFayette High School for the first time. LaFayette is a nine time reigning champion, eight in A and last year in AA. They are ranked first in the state in AA.

Holder says he has learned to be both a strong competitor, and a budding adult.

“I have learned a lot of self independence,” Holder said. “You learn so much from each and every different match.”

The 189-pound junior says he has learned a lot of maneuvers, not only through practice, but also through watching those whom he practices with.

“You can learn a lot from your teammates. You can watch and study different moves and how they act,” Holder said.

Holder, who has been largely undefeated, says success comes through mental preparation.

“It is a lot of what you practice, you just have that in your head that that is what you are going to go out and practice, that is what you are going to do,” Holder said.

But Holder also draws on this faith, before each match the 16-year-old prays.

“There is a lot of struggle in wrestling. There is a lot of fatigue. It helps to be stronger as a person to keep your faith through the struggles and the trials,” Holder said.

SHS wrestling coach, Eric Elrod has been coaching Holder since the young athlete was a freshman.

“Zane was always so much stronger than everybody. He was wrestling 171 as a freshman, that’s not an underclassman weight class,” Elrod said. “He is such a good athlete and such a mental competitor, he is able to adapt so quickly. That has led him to where he is now.”

Through wrestling Holder has gained a valuable lesson, and that it to learn from his mistakes. Holders says that he makes sure each one of his meets are recorded so that later he can watch his performance and find ways to improve.

“You can learn from your mistakes and try to correct them starting with practice,” Holder said.

This year Holder hopes to take the team to a championship.

“I am looking toward winning individually also,” Holder said.