There are moments throughout an athlete’s career that can stand out as memorable. Whether it is a personal milestone or a team achievement, it is an important moment for them. Saben Batten has one that stands out to him and his teammates at Blackwell.
“I think a highlight moment in my career was my junior year of wrestling when we won the state tournament as a team,” he recalled. “We dominated everyone other than Stillwater, who beat us by I think two points.”
Batten is a senior at Blackwell High School, where he competes in football and wrestling. He says that wearing his school’s colors when he competes is something that is important to him.
“It means a lot to represent our school and community because they are awesome, and I love the sports community here. The main thing that motivates me is doing it for our school.”
Throughout his life, Saben has had people who have influenced him and helped shape him into the person that he is today.
“I look at my brother as a role model because he is the reason I know how to play football and wrestle, and he does his best to make sure I’m doing the right thing,” he said. “A teacher that I think has made the most impact in my life is Mrs. Shuart because she was always letting me catch up on work and really trying to help me pass. If she weren’t the kind lady she is, I wouldn’t have played sports last year.”
To become the athlete that he is has taken work and a drive to be the best.
“It has taken time, effort, losses, and mistakes to be successful.”
Saben says he is surrounded by some outstanding teammates who have also played a role in his success. And when they compete as a group, they are ready to face whoever the opponent is.
“A teammate that I enjoy going up against is Madden Edgar,” he said. “He is a very talented wrestler. One opponent that I really enjoy beating is definitely Marlow. They are one of the other dominant powerhouses in Oklahoma wrestling.”
