Maggie Ramold | Co-Sports Editor

Seth Shatto has been leading the Buena Vista University (BVU) wrestling team into their 2013-14 season as one of the team captains. The junior physical education major from Estherville, IA is leading the team with an 8-5 record and 3 pins for the year.

Last Saturday, Nov. 30 at the Brute-Adidas Open hosted by Augsburg College, Shatto made it into the consolation final for the 165-pound gold division, before he fell in the match 10-3.

Shatto is optimistic about the season for himself and the team.

“My personal goal is to be a national qualifier. I will have to beat some of the best in the nation to achieve that goal, so I am excited to see how that turns out. We’re looking to win a few duels this year and have a lot of guys place at tournaments. We have more depth at each weight so I think we’ll get some good wins this year,” Shatto said.

Senior Casey Paprocki commented on how Shatto has matured over the past three years to become the epitome of a team leader both on and off the mat.

“Everyone in the room looks up to him and will continue to do so until he graduates,” Paprocki said.

Shatto decided to come to BVU for wrestling, especially because of the guys on the team and the coaches.

“It seems minor, but you see them and hang out with them all of the time. We practice together, eat together, and hang out on the weekends together,” Shatto said.

BVU will open their Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC) schedule on the road at #8 Coe College on Thursday, Dec. 5 in Cedar Rapids starting at 7:00 p.m.

Photo courtesy of Steven Phelps