Sitting in a classroom, junior wrestler Brayden Barbao was faced with a decision that would change his life.

He was faced with a decision either to go to detention or to go to wrestling practice. He chose to go to wrestling practice and has not looked back.

“It is my passion now, and I just stumbled upon wrestling,” Barbao said.

Going into his third year wrestling at Waynesburg, Barbao has gone into this year with some high expectations for himself.

“Each year I look at improving not only my technique but also my footwork,” Barbao said.

Barbao has been a very integral part of the wrestling team not only from a skill perspective, but he is the most valuable when it comes to leadership.

“Brayden is just incredible when it comes to leading the younger wrestlers and showing them how they can improve,” senior wrestler J.T. Hollyfield said.

When Barbao isn’t wrestling, he is a student-teacher at Waynesburg Central High School. He strives to be a secondary education history teacher.

“The topic of history I am well versed in, and it is a subject that needs to be taught,” Barbao said.

Barbao has made not only a big impact on the kids he sees every Tuesday and Thursday, but the education department chair Dr. Kelley Solomon has seen the hard work he puts in each week.

“Brayden has also developed strong communication and empathy skills to effectively support and inspire his future students,” Solomon said.

Dr. Solomon has been an integral part of his development as a future teacher.

What really sets Barbao apart is his relentless drive to do whatever he is doing whether it is wrestling or teaching to his full potential.

“Brayden is a very hands-on teacher getting all students to participate in class discussions,” junior education major Grady Palmer said.

Waynesburg men’s wrestling season gets underway on Nov 7.

“Wrestling has taught me a lot of patience which I can bring that patience into teaching,” Barbao said.

In life we don’t know when doors open for different opportunities for us to explore.