Jayden Kayser is a sophomore wrestling for the Socorro Warriors.
Greg Byrd | El Defensor Chieftain

 

Jayden Kayser is a sophomore wrestling for the Socorro Warriors.

What got you into wrestling?

My friend Jada. She encouraged me for a very long time to do it, and I finally built up the courage to just try it out and I’ve done it ever since.

What hooked you?

The environment that I’m in and the adrenaline rush that I get from it.

What’s the worst part about wrestling?

Probably getting hurt, like when you hurt your back or your knees, which I’ve done both. I’ve misplaced my hip and dislocated my knee. My mother had to pop it back into place.

What’s the best part about wrestling?

My friends and my coaches and everyone that I meet in wrestling.

Do you play any other sports?

I play volleyball and track.

What’s your favorite sport?

Wrestling.

Why?

It’s a really good environment. Our program is growing a ton and I’m learning a lot more, and I just preferred wrestling over a lot of things.

What have you taken away from your coaches?

He teaches us how to take our losses. How to show good sportsmanship and whatnot. How to be a good human being. They’re like my other dads.

They’re real strict with the rules when it comes to practices. You clock in and you get to work. There’s no messing around when it comes to practice. Everything you put in practice, you put on the mat.

What’s the best part about your team?

My team, they’re all just so nice. We all get along really well and it’s a very supportive environment and we’re always there for each other, the boys and the girls. We’re there to support each other. It doesn’t matter if it’s boys or girls. We’re there to support and encourage our team.

How is the girls program growing?

I think it’s growing really well. Girls in the school walk up to me and they’re like ‘Hey I want to do wrestling it sounds really fun’ and I think a lot of girls are noticing how well we’re doing and how the program is growing and how fun it looks.

What would you tell somebody who thinks girls shouldn’t be wrestling?

Get out of the kitchen if you can’t take the heat.

Girls can do whatever boys do, if not better. Our girls have been at the top this whole year. Hopefully we stay at the top. All of our girls are really tough, and people shouldn’t just judge us because we’re girls.

What’s your favorite sport that you do not participate in?

Probably soccer because it’s really competitive, and it’s fun to watch.

What’s your favorite Olympic?

Ice skating.

Why?

They are just really skillful at everything they do. They have amazing balance. All around they’re just amazing athletes and I could never diss on skating because I could never do that, staying on a little blade that whole time.

If you could meet one person living or dead for dinner one night, who would it be?

Selena. She seems like a sweet person and just a good person, she has a beautiful voice and I’ve always been a fan of hers since I was very little because of my grandparents, growing up in a Hispanic household. They always played her songs and I just liked her voice and she always seemed sweet, based on interviews I’ve seen from her.

 

Greg Byrd | El Defensor Chieftain