By Trina Walker

Patience and enjoying the process are two things Dimitri Kizer learned while wrestling. He is a senior at Del City High School who has spent the better part of his life on the mat.

“I first got into wrestling by going to a couple of Little League practices when I was seven. I fell in love with it from there,” Kizer said.

Those early Little League practices evolved into a passion for a sport that has given Kizer a purpose. His most memorable vacation was all about wrestling.

“It wasn’t really a vacation; it was going to Las Vegas to wrestle in the U.S. Open,” he said.

Kizer’s favorite part about wrestling is the grind and knowing that he is doing something nobody else is doing. He also enjoys being part of a team where the people he cares about push him to be a better athlete and person.
“I am inspired by everyone on the wall of fame. I eventually want to do greater things than all of them,” Kizer says.

Deontre Buttram and Liam Daniels are two teammates who made the biggest impression on him. They graduated when Kizer was a sophomore and were the last state champions at DCHS. Kizer wants to represent his school by continuing to add to the rich wrestling history his school is known for.

“I want to thank all of my coaches and everyone who has helped me get to where I am, but I want to give a special shout-out to Justin Shawver, who has impacted my life so much,” Kizer said.

Kizer’s favorite memory of high school wrestling was on a trip to Louisiana last year before most of the seniors left. That time spent with fellow friends and teammates was special and reminded him that his time in high school won’t last forever.

“My advice is to really just enjoy every moment of it, the bad times and the good times, because soon it will all be a memory,” he said.

Kizer plans to continue his wrestling career in college. His long-term career goal is to work in real estate.