WPIAL Alum Q&A – Tristan Buxton

By: HSSN Staff
Monday, January 9, 2017 | 11:12 PM

Although Tristan Buxton was a talented grappler at Trinity High School, he perhaps did not establish himself as one of the elite competitors in the district. Now wrestling at the college level at Waynesburg, Buxton has developed into one of the best on the mat. As a result, he’s in the spotlight for this week’s installment of the WPIAL Alum Q&A.

Buxton was a three-time letterwinner for the Hillers, beginning as a sophomore in 2011-12. He competed in the 113-pound weight class in sectionals, but did not place.

The following season, Buxton dropped to 106, and compiled an overall mark of 27-10. In the Class AAA Section 4 tournament, he finished third. That allowed him to advance to the Southwest Regional, in which he went 1-2.

As a senior, Buxton achieved his greatest success for Trinity, claiming the Section 4 title by defeating McGuffey’s Gage Nicolella by disqualification. In the regionals, Buxton won his first two matches, but then tasted defeat to eventual champion Devin Brown of Franklin Regional, and also lost to Nicolella in a consolation rematch. He concluded his last high-school campaign with a mark of 28-12.

Buxton then matriculated to Waynesburg University, where he’s evolved into an elite talent for the Yellow Jackets. As a freshman, Buxton compiled a mark of 13-9. Last year, though, Buxton made significant strides on the mat, as he boasted a 32-14 record in the 125-pound class.

In 2016-17, the junior has been stellar, as he’s gone 26-2, including winning a title at the Waynesburg Invitational this past weekend, and the Ohio Northern Invitational last month.

Tristan took time away from the mat to discuss the keys to his success this year, a moment that helped catapult his athletic career, and which canceled TV show he would bring back.

Q: You’ve won more than 90 percent of your matches thus far this season. What’s the biggest key to your success right now?

A: I remain calm during my matches. If I can keep a cool head, then I will be able to make clear and decisive decisions in the heat of a match.

Q: How have you improved as a wrestler since you began at Waynesburg University?

A: I have improved a ton since I joined the Jackets. I started out as an average wrestler who couldn’t break the lineup. That gave me a driving force, though, and I trained and continue to train harder than ever in order to surpass all of my competition. I try to improve every day, even if it’s just a little bit.

Q: Was competing in the 125-pound class in college always the expectation for you?

A: Wrestling at the 125-pound weight class was always the plan. I’ve always been small and I don’t think I’m getting any bigger. I just need to grow more and more into this weight class.

Q: What exercises and diet do you follow to maintain both your weight and your strength?

A: When I maintain my weight, I try not to starve myself too much. I exercise and lose about 3-4 pounds a practice, and I try to take in less than that in food and liquids.

Q: What were the team goals, and your individual goals, for 2016-17?

A: Team goals: I would like to see us be ranked in the country and win the PAC. Individual goals: I am aiming to be an All American and/or National Champion. It is my goal and always will be.

Q: What was the most intense or exciting college atmosphere in which you’ve competed?

A: The most intense atmosphere would have to be University Nationals in Akron, Ohio. It is where Division I, II, III, and NAIA schools all go to compete in free style and Greco roman wrestling. The competition is at the highest level, and just pulling out a win or two is an achievement.

Q: What led to your decision to attend Waynesburg?

A: When I was just starting out in wrestling, I joined a club called Toss down here in Waynesburg. Coach Headlee, Yates, and Havelka were all involved, and when it came time to decide where I wanted to continue my career, I chose the place I felt more at home at and the place where I knew my coaches would have a better understanding of me.

Q: What is your major and ideal future occupation?

A: My major is Criminal Justice and with this degree I would like to pursue a career in either the state police or become a probation officer.

Q: What was your fondest memory from your time at Trinity?

A: My fondest memories were the times that I spent after practice and outside of the season with my old high school coach, Ron Tarquinio. He was a huge influence to me throughout my career, and I owe a lot of credit to him for my success in wrestling.

Q: Is there a particular moment or a piece of advice you received in high school that helped you become the student athlete you are today?

A: The moment that made me realize I had work to do was when I got beaten out in the WPIAL tournament in the consolation semis. I never made it to states, and I don’t want something like that to happen again. That is a huge part of my drive that allows me to train as hard as I do. Not reaching a goal is somewhat of a shock, and I don’t want to feel that way again.

Q: What is your favorite sport to watch or play aside from wrestling?

A: My favorite sport outside of wrestling is hockey. Hockey, to me, is the one team sport that I can watch because it is tough and takes a lot of grit, just like wrestling. I have watched and followed the Pittsburgh Penguins for years, and some times I can be found in my dorm going crazy if they score.

Q: If you could bring back any former TV show, which would it be?

A: Friends; I think it would be really neat to see the whole cast on screen again. I love the show and, to me, it’s one of the best TV comedies of all time.

Q: What is your favorite season of the year?

A: Winter, because wrestling is in season

Q: If you became a millionaire overnight, what is the first thing you’d purchase?

A: The first thing I would buy is season tickets to go see the Penguins play as much as possible.