WAYNESBURG, Pa. (Jan. 27) – For Boastas Kwabiah, wrestling has never come easily.
 
He first got into the sport during his days at Meade High School in Maryland, but transportation issues made it difficult to get back and forth to practice. Before long, participating in wrestling slipped out of reach.
 
Years later, a friend encouraged Kwabiah to step onto the mat once again. Thanks to that encouragement, wrestling has become a prominent part of his collegiate career.
 
Balancing wrestling alongside football and track was anything but easy at first. Juggling three demanding sports tested him both physically and mentally. Yet, when he fully committed to all three, he started to see improvements in his academic work, as well has his athletic endeavors.
 
"It was bad at the start," Kwabiah admitted.
 
But he learned to get his work done before it piled up to an overwhelming level and everything since then has turned around.
 
Out of Kwabiah's three athletic pursuits, football remains his favorite. The physicality, the energy and the adrenaline of the game still hold a special place in his heart. But wrestling challenges him in ways no other sport has.
 
Kwabiah's path to competing in the 285-pound weight class is one marked by adversity, discipline and mental toughness. At one point, he weighed 320 pounds. Over time, he committed himself to change, slowly transforming both his body and mindset. During Christmas break, he returned home weighing 315. When he came back to campus, he was down to 290 and had just one week to cut the remaining weight to qualify for the Jeff Breese Invitational at Washington & Jefferson.
 
"It was a mental thing," Kwabiah said. "Cutting weight is hard. You have to be dedicated."
 
That dedication paid off. He made weight and earned the right to compete. The feeling of stepping onto the mat was more than just competition; it was validation.
 
"It feels good," he explained. "There are levels to the sport and technique."
 
Throughout the process, his teammates and coaches played a crucial role. When injuries sidelined him, they refused to let his spirits drop. They encouraged him to stay engaged, to keep showing up and to keep believing. One moment in particular stayed with him.
 
"When my coach told me he was proud of me," Kwabiah said, "I hadn't heard that in a while."
 
Head men's wrestling coach Bobby Patnesky echoed that sentiment.
 
"I have all the respect in the world for Bo," Patnesky said. "What he has accomplished to create a healthy lifestyle for himself is harder than anything he will ever do on a wrestling mat. This speaks volumes about the drive and success Bo is going to have on his life's journey."
 
When asked what advice he would give to others facing similar struggles, Kwabiah keeps it simple.
 
"Don't stop," Kwabiah said. "It's just a mental thing. If you really want to do it, keep chasing it."
 
During an injury setback, Kwabiah discovered another passion: sports photography. What began as a way to stay involved quickly turned into something more meaningful. Teammates talked about not getting photos and Kwabiah took it upon himself to capture moments others could relive. Soon, players were sharing his photos with friends and family. Parents began reaching out, asking if he had pictures of their sons.
 
That joy of people posting his pictures and sending them to their friends is what got him hooked.
 
While photography started as a hobby, it has grown into something he could see becoming a career. His mom encouraged him to pursue it seriously, and football remains his favorite sport to photograph.
 
"Seeing the players' hype after a big play, that's the best part," Kwabiah said.
 
Perhaps one of the most meaningful aspects of his journey is sharing it with his younger brother, Sarpong, who is a decorated sophomore member of the Waynesburg University men's soccer team.
 
"I always supported him in high school and wanted him to come to Waynesburg," Kwabiah says. "It's a gift, and I keep telling him that."
 
Sarpong feels the same pride watching his older brother thrive in a myriad of ways.
 
"As a younger brother, I am proud of my older brother and his hard work," Sarpong said. "He's a guy that pushes past his limits when his mind is focused, and that's something I've learned from him. It's a blessing to see him leaving a mark and making the best of his time here."
 
Boastas Kwabiah's story isn't just about wrestling, football, track or photography; it's about growth, discipline and learning that the toughest battles are often mental. And above all, it's about never stopping when something is worth chasing.