Bragging rights

Chief works to join family ranks

Ty Sainsbury likes conditioning.

Unlike many athletes, Ty finds conditioning enjoyable, possibly his favorite part of wrestling. "I like conditioning because then you can last longer in a match," he said.

This year's Mat Classic is Ty's final chance to join the ranks of family members — namely his dad and uncle — who have placed at the state wrestling tournament.

"My dad and my uncle are on the wall," Ty said. "They left a big stamp on the high school."

Ty says he feels pressure to place this year because of the fourth and fifth place finishes by his dad and uncle respectively.

"My goal this season has been to make it to state and place above sixth because then I'll at least have bragging rights with my uncle," said Ty.

Thus far it has been a tough season for the senior who has battled being overweight, a torn rotator cuff and an injury to the growth plate in his chest.

"At first they thought I'd broken it and the doctors were really worried because that's usually something they only see in people who have been in a car crash," said Ty.

The 171-pounder from Moses Lake is no stranger to wrestling, having spent time on the mats off and on for the last 10 years and, of course, participating in a friendly bout with his dad, uncle and other family members.

"We wrestle a lot," said Ty. "We're a rough family I guess."

Of his time away from wrestling Ty said he was doing other things and just was not interested in freestyle wrestling, preferring to wait until he could wrestle folkstyle to reenter the wrestling room.

Beyond his plans for state, Ty is planning to work immediately after high school and then go on his mission for the LDS Church.

After completing his missionary work, Ty hopes to attend either Washington State University or Brigham Young University-Idaho and pursue a degree in vetrinary medicine.

"I love animals," Ty said with a grin. "If I couldn't be a vet, I'd be a chiropractor."