Senior Profile: Lobsinger wants to finish on top

Photo by Maghan Hunt

Giving it his all – West Valley’s Austin Lobsinger has set a goal of being the top wrestler in the state in the 220-weight class. Once the season is over, Lobsinger will pick the college he wants to attend and wrestle for. He wants to be a criminal justice major, so he can one day work for the California Highway Partol.

West Valley senior Austin Lobsinger, 17, has a goal for his last season of high school wrestling — to be the top in the state in his weight class.

In 2011, Lobsinger finished second in the state in the 215-weight class and fourth in the nation.

This season Lobsinger won the Nor Cal in the 220-weight class and placed seventh at an Iron Man event in Ohio. The senior is ranked 13th in the nation for his class.

According to Lobsinger, three people have helped him get to where he is today.

“My father has been there supporting me through my wrestling and football career since I was 4,” stated Lobsinger.

“Coach (Tom) Vasquez has also helped me. He’s been my wrestling coach for four years and has helped me reach a maturity level in wrestling,” Lobsinger said. “Also Coach Joe Muir has helped me in all of wrestling, from the way I eat to my thinking to new moves. He has been the biggest influence, along with my dad, over the past two years.”

Lobsinger said he loves wrestling and going out onto the mat and having fun. “I get to beat people up without getting in trouble,” replied the senior with a teasing grin.

He credits wrestling with helping him become more mature and helping him to become more of a man not just on the mat, but also in life.

Lobsinger said once the season is over he will decide which four-year university he wants to attend because he plans on wrestling in college. Lobsinger said he will major in criminal justice because he wants to be a California Highway Patrol officer.