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HAYFIELD – Westfield senior wrestler Bo Zwiener nearly saw his dream come to an end before he even had a chance to chase it.

Zwiener’s dream is to win a Class A state wrestling title this season and the barrier he had to break through was a foot injury he sustained with the Awesome Blossom football team on Homecoming night this past fall. That injury required surgery and it had Zwiener doubting his future on the mat for a while.

“I was feeling real down on myself and I didn’t really know what was going on. When I knew I would have the chance to wrestle, it made me really happy,” Zwiener said. “The main goal is to win it all.”

Zwiener underwent foot surgery and then he worked as hard as he could in rehab to get back 10 days earlier than his goal of recovery. Once back, he achieved a major accomplishment as he recently set the record for career wins as a Westfield Razorback. He is currently sitting at 153 total wins, with 89 total pins, and he has a 16-1 overall record this season.

“It’s kind of awesome. I didn’t think I was going to have a wrestling season. I’m just glad I’m back and doing all of this. I honestly hope the record gets broken (in the future),” Zwiener said. “I want the program to be successful every year. It all starts in the practice room and you’ve got to put the work in.” 

After wrestling at 133-pounds last season, Zwiener has moved up to 139-pounds. Although he’s actually ranked No. 3 at 145 because he wrestled some of his earlier matches at 145 and 152, where he suffered his only defeat of the season.

Zwiener is a four-time state qualifier and he finished in fifth place at 133 in the Class A meet last season. He took sixth place in his sophomore season. Zwiener lost to eventual state champ Trey Gunderson of Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg in last year’s state semifinals and he may run into him again. Gunderson went 53-0 last season and he is ranked No. 1 at 139-pounds this season.

Westfield head coach David Lassahn said that Zwiener’s work ethic has taken him everywhere he has gotten on the mat.

“It’s been a lot of fun to watch. He started out in seventh grade and he took some of his lumps. He didn’t start out at the top by any means. He worked his way up through a lot of hard work and determination. He wouldn’t let anyone outwork him in the room. That’s the kind of kid you want in your program,” Lassahn said. “I’d say he’s pretty close to full strength now and that’s a credit to his recovery.”

As time runs down on his illustrious run with the Razorbacks, Zwiener can take solace in the fact that he will still be wrestling next season. He has committed to wrestle at the University of St. John’s, a Division III school in Collegeville, Minnesota.

“College wrestling is definitely a different breed. I’ve been mentally preparing for that,” Zwiener said. “I get to keep going (after high school), but I’m still going to keep wrestling like it’s my last match.”