Aaron Whear was voted Suffolk News-Herald Player of the Week after winning regional and state championships for Nansemond River High School.

Whear, a Nansemond River High School senior, has had a remarkable last season on the mat. After winning a regional title for Nansemond River, he went on to win a state title as well. It was the first time in more than 20 years that Nansemond River had a wrestling state champion. In the process, he helped the team finish runner-up in the regional and state tournaments as well.

“I enjoyed the season the most out of all my four years at NR,” he said. “As a team, we had a work hard, play hard mentality. We created a serious family atmosphere, which helped loosen everyone up and wrestle with no extra pressure.”

The senior Warrior knew at the beginning of the season he could make it to the top if he worked hard. Before he even wrestled his first match, the championship mindset had already been established. There was one moment where Whear felt in his heart that he was going to be a state champion. It was during a Wednesday practice a couple of days before the state meet. The team went on a 3.5-mile run, and he finished a solid five minutes before everyone else. Right after he had a talk with one of his coaches and they said to him, “You’re going to win.”

“I knew all season long what I was capable of, but at that moment I distinctly remember believing 100 percent no one was going to stop me,” Whear said. “I worked hard, and that helped me wrestle with confidence the whole postseason.”

The desire to win is what motivates Whear. Of the six years he has wrestled, one thing he has learned is that the person that wants to win more is likely to win. His mother is a big inspiration to him. If he ever finds himself in a tight match, he looks over at his mom, and it helps to calm him. Coach Tripp Seed is also a big inspiration to Whear.

“I wouldn’t be the man I am without my mom,” Whear said. “She always inspires me to my best. Coach Seed has always believed in me even when I didn’t believe in myself. There is no one I’d rather have in my corner.”

Even though Whear has had a successful wrestling career, he prefers to play football in college. Right now, he is continuing to go through his options as he was an All-District tight end for the Warriors last fall.