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In Their Blood

In Their Blood

 “There is always a bond between a coach and an athlete, but the bond between a father and son makes it even stronger,” says Hempfield Area Head Coach Brian Kapusta

The relationship between a father and son can for most be an irreplaceable bond. Being coached by your own father may be the hardest thing for someone; however, for Brian and Nico Kapusta, it has grown their bond to a different level. Brian while talking to friends and family repeats, “It’s one of the best feelings a Dad can have.” 

More than most of the wrestlers on the Hempfield Area team, Nico knows the expectations of his father. After the 16 years of Nico Kapusta’s life, many of those spent wrestling with his father training him, the two have grown close, and yet, the expectations remain high. 

 The athletes in the wrestling room right now, are those which Brian has worked with since they were eight years old. Coach Brian Kapusta grew up wrestling, along with his two brothers, Jeff and Chris. He was a three-time NCAA Division II National Champion at NDSU, and his love for wrestling only grew throughout his life. For Brian, having such a strong love for the sport and being a part of the Hempfield Area Wrestling Program for over 10 years, made his final decision to take the head coaching spot in the Hempfield Area Wrestling Program an easy one. 

A commonly asked question is if there are negatives to coaching your son. According to Kapusta, there are times “practices are not left in the wrestling room”. These arguments can even get other family members involved. The goal for Brian and Nico this year is to “leave it all at practice.” 

Nico, a junior at the Hempfield Area, describes how spending more time with his father is amazing. He puts it into perspective saying, “He can be tough on me, which I know makes me better, but he is never afraid to hold back.” Being out on an injury for the year, made him realize how valuable time is, and he is savoring the fact that he can now help his father and be by his side throughout this 2024-2025 season.

This father and son duo, Brian and Nico Kapusta, are bringing balance to being family and being a coach and athlete in the wrestling room. 

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