Nik Streng knows all too well how to avoid temptation.
Whether it’s time spent at home during Christmas break, or when the rest of his college buddies are out during the weekend, Streng knows he can never give in.
Not when the collegiate wrestler has something to prove to himself.
"My ultimate goal is to be the best I can be, and (wrestling) is what will get me there," said Streng, a senior at Pacific (Ore.).
The motivation dates back to his senior year at ‘Iolani.
As a junior, Streng finished third at the state tournament, setting the stage for what he hoped would be a trip to the finals his senior year.
But two days before the state tournament, Streng felt a twinge in his shoulder.
He had suffered a shoulder sprain, and as a result did not place in states.
"That was the tipping point for me," Streng said. "It was never about whether I was able to do this in college or not. It was about if I wanted to or not.
"That was the point where I realized that I have more to prove to myself and more to gain in this sport."
It was then that Streng put out feelers to different colleges and eventually settled on Pacific after a trip to Forest Grove, Ore., during spring break.
A few months later, he was in the gym preparing for life as a college wrestler when he looked around and wondered if this was indeed the right choice.
"I probably think (‘What am I doing?’) once a day, even now," he said. "I can’t imagine myself not doing it. It’s the kind of thing where you’ve got to suck it up and say you’re going to do this because it’s something you want to prove to yourself."
Wrestling itself is as grueling as any sport in college, but Streng hasn’t had the benefit of much luck, either.
Prior to his junior season, Streng tore the MCL in his right knee and came back to wrestle the final month of the season.
Injuries also plagued him during his sophomore year.
His only full season came as a freshman, when he lost all 22 matches at 184 pounds, recording his only win at 197 pounds.
But even then, the losing wasn’t enough to make him quit.
It only pushed him further.
He won four of his 10 matches last season, including a fifth-place finish at the Boxer Open.
Now, in his final year, Streng wrestles at 197 pounds in a weight class that the Boxers are short-handed in.
He’s won five of his 12 matches at 197 pounds and has also won a match at 285 pounds.
But it’s never been about wins and losses before, so why should it be now?
The focus is simply on finishing out the final two months at the highest level Streng can compete at.
"Since graduating from high school I have never considered myself the best wrestler," Streng said. "I’m mostly here for the team because they need me at the 197-pound weight class.
"I’ve only got another month and a half or so and I’m just trying to soak in as much as I can."
