Get to know Westlake wrestler Ameer Shouman
WESTLAKE, Ohio. —聽
Name: Ameer Shouman
Grade: Sophomore, WHS Class of 2025
Sport: Wrestling
Hobbies: Video games, board games, hanging out with friends and cousins
Other activities: Baseball, soccer, marching band
Westlake High School sophomore Ameer Shouman dreams of becoming a wrestling state champion and he鈥檚 not afraid of the hard work and determination it will take to achieve that goal. 鈥淚 love everything about wrestling,鈥� he says, 鈥渆ven if I have to put a lot of work into it.鈥�
He realizes wrestlers all across the state are pushing themselves to achieve the same goal but Ameer鈥檚 passion for the sport sets him apart. 鈥淚f I can accomplish this, I would be able to achieve one of my biggest dreams which is wrestling for a D1 college,鈥� he says.
Ameer鈥檚 eight years of wrestling experience led him to a spot on the varsity team as a freshman. He won 25 of 42 matches in his first high school season.
The athlete realizes that there are bumps along the way, including at the GLC tournament when he felt that his focus was off. 鈥淎s a result, I lost two matches and failed to place,鈥� he explains. But Ameer isn鈥檛 one to back down. After overcoming negative thoughts, he quickly realized that dwelling on the past prevents him from focusing on the future.
鈥淚 then wrestled and placed 4th in the Strongsville Sectional Tournament, giving me a spot to wrestle in the hardest district in the nation,鈥� says Ameer. 鈥淭his moment made me learn that it is important to let go of some things in the past.鈥�
Ameer has also learned that although he competes on the mat alone, his teammates, coaches, and parents are critical to his success. 鈥淏eing a member of a team has taught me that without one, life is a lot harder,鈥� he says. 鈥淵ou are the only one who is wrestling and every move you do is based off of your intuition; however, that intuition came from the coaches who trained you, the team you wrestle with, and the countless support from both the team and your parents.鈥�
Off the mat, Ameer also succeeds in music and academics. He played the clarinet for the marching band and earned the 鈥淢usical Merit Award鈥� from his band directors. Ameer also participated in Westlake High School鈥檚 production of Chicago all while聽maintaining a 4.8 weighted GPA.
Way to go, Ameer. Westlake is excited to see what you accomplish in your remaining years as a WHS Demon!
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