Sofia Arain
Oak Brook
How did you get interested in wrestling?
I've always liked fast-acting and kind of combative sports. I've done soccer for years. When I heard the girls were going out for wrestling last year, I thought, "Why not me?" and I ended up falling in love with it.
What is it like being in a new sport?
It's hard and sometimes you don't have a lot to go on. Last year there were no regionals, there were only sectionals. This year regionals was wonderful. There were quite a lot of worthy opponents. To make a community at Hinsdale Central in a matter of two years - it's amazing the work you can accomplish when it's just you and a bunch of hard-working girls in a room together.
How have you improved since last year?
The biggest thing I've improved on was my mindset toward working hard, and being consistent with the sport greatly improved my work ethic both in and out of athletics.
How demanding is wresting?
Wrestling is probably the best choice I've ever made for myself, but with that comes the strength and the strong mindset you need for it. It's the toughest thing I've ever been through.
How do you get ready for a match?
Something that I always do is walk around, kind of get my jitters out. I'm never afraid to ask my coach for help. The biggest thing to remember right before I shake hands is I tried my hardest for this, and if I go down, it's not going to be without a fight.
How important is family to you?
I'm really proud of where I come from. My mom is from rural Ohio and my dad is from here. He went to Hinsdale Central way back when, and his mom is Filipino and his dad is Pakistani. I'm a big family kind of person. Family is everything to me.
What are your other interests?
I also love music. I never really thought that sports were my thing until I started to get in the habit of soccer and then wrestling.
Why does coach Pat Kohl like having Arain on the team?
Sofia is a second-year wrestler who is physically and mentally tough with a current record of 15-2. Chosen as a captain by her teammates, Sofia is a natural and outspoken leader.
- profile by Pamela Lannom, photo by Jim Slonoff
