Athlete Showcase: Dowagiac’s Michael Nuyen
Published 8:53 am Tuesday, February 16, 2016
Michael Nuyen is a junior on the Dowagiac wrestling team.
What has been one of your greatest
accomplishments as an athlete?
MN: Making it to the first-place match of a tournament where I started out as the 11th seed and was expected to place 11th.
What has been one of your biggest
disappointments as an athlete?
MN: Losing in the last round of districts and not being able to participate in regionals my freshman and sophomore years.
What has been a hardship in your life?
MN: Separating myself from the culture I’m surrounded by and continuing to work toward my goals for sports and school.
Who is a “hero” in your life and why?
MN: My mom, because she tries to make sure I can get the chance to do the things I want to do even when it causes trouble for her.
When are you the most nervous while you are competing?
MN: When the weight class before mine is wrestling. Right before my match.
Describe an embarrassing athletic moment.
MN: When I lost in convincing fashion at our home meet this year against Sturgis.
How do you tend to workout/train when by yourself?
MN: Go on jobs and do different stance/leg workouts.
What other sport would you like to compete in if you were not playing yours?
MN: Basketball.
Who would you say is your “biggest fan?” Why?
MN: My mom, because she supports me through everything and tries to keep me happy.
How would you give away $50,000?
MN: I would fund a local gym close to my house so I could be the athlete I know I can be. A full wrestling room.
If you could be the head coach of a team for a year, what team would you choose?
MN: The University of Michigan wrestling team.
If I did not play sports, I would…?
MN: Try to make music.
What is the most challenging thing for you to do in your sport?
MN: Keeping my weight down and stay in good enough shape to wrestle a match all three rounds.
If you could change one rule about your sport, what would it be?
MN: Locked hands.
What is the best compliment you have ever received?
MN:That I am a good wrestler.
What was the scariest thing you have had to do? Are you glad you did it?
MN: Switching schools because I didn’t know anyone. Yes, I’m glad.
What was the last thing you saw someone do that really impressed you?
MN: My 103-pound friend Kody (Walker) took down a kid on our team that weighs 170 pounds.
What is your favorite hobby? Why?
MN: Listening to and finding new music because it gives me motivation and improves my state of mind.
Choose one word to describe yourself:
MN: Determined.