March 18, 2009
Redshirt sophomore wrestler Tristen DeShazer took some time away from his classes and his training for the upcoming NCAA Championships to talk with NIUHuskies.com about becoming a gentlemen, coming from wrestling family, and the first time he dreamed about wrestling at nationals.
NIUHuskies.com: What is you favorite reality show?
TD: ‘From G’s to Gents,’ it is a show where they change gangsters, or guys who think they’re gangsters, into gentlemen.
NIU: Outside of wrestling, what do you like to do?
TD: I really like to eat a lot, and play video games, like Madden or NCAA 09 Football.
NIU: Tell us something about you no one knows.
TD: I am a real grandma’s boy, she babies me. I have always been around my grandma my whole life.
NIU: When did you first dream of going to nationals?
TD: I have dreamed about it all my life, but reality set in last summer. My dad and I talked about moving down a weight class, and once I did that I got serious about it.
NIU: How did you start wrestling?
TD: My dad was a two-time high school state champion in Kansas, so it runs in the family. I started when I was seven.
NIU: What do you want to be doing in 10 years?
TD: I hope that I will have my degree; I plan on getting rich somehow and living on a houseboat with Bryan Deutsch.
NIU: Best advice you have received from a coach?
TD: I was at a national tournament when I was in high school, I was nervous, and my coach came up to me and said ‘You’re Tristen DeShazer. If anything, they should be worried about you.’
NIU: Who’s your hero?
TD: My mom is my hero. She raised three kids pretty well, none of us have been in trouble and she is a hard working woman.
NIU: What is your most annoying habit?
TD: My most annoying habit is when I start playing video games, I cannot stop playing until I beat it, no matter how long it takes. It annoys me because I have other stuff I should be doing.
NIU: Who would play you in a movie?
TD: Denzel Washington
NIU: What is your greatest athletic accomplishment?
TD: Being a four time state champion in Kansas. Also, I was the first African-American four-time state champion.
NIU: What has been your biggest accomplish outside athletics?
TD: I received the USD 259-Shining Star award for being the best student-athlete for the school year.
NIU: Tristen, thanks for stopping by.
TD: Thank you.
