Roy resident and Southern Oregon University wrestler Nevaeh Arthun is ready to embark on her collegiate career and is looking for sponsorships to help fund the journey.
Arthun began wrestling at the age of 12 when her middle school science teacher, who also happened to be the wrestling coach, encouraged her to give it a try. Ever since stepping onto the mat for the first time, Nevaeh fell in love with the sport and knew it was her calling.
“Since I started wrestling, I’ve always been very passionate about it, so I was looking at colleges at the age of 15,” Arthun said. “Southern Oregon stood out to me then for having a large established women’s college team, which wasn’t as common as it is now”
Nevaeh reached out to Southern Oregon University’s wrestling coach and was invited to train with the team on campus in Ashland. Her visit solidified her decision to join the team, as she felt inspired by the camaraderie and dedication of the athletes.
“There was something about being in a room of 40 to 50 women who are as driven and as passionate about the same sport as you,” she said. “It truly is the most inspiring feeling.”
Each wrestler is asked to find web page sponsorships that will appear on each wrestler’s biography page on SOU’s athletic site. The sponsorships are geared to allow hometown businesses to get exposure while supporting local athletes on the collegiate stage.
“These sponsorships will help with travel fees, meals, uniforms and tournament fees,” Arthun said. “We are a school where the funding is still limited. However, the experience is one of a kind.”
With the new season set to begin in October, Arthun is eagerly preparing for challenges and opportunities.
“My expectations for this year are to be a big learning sponge and soak up everything I can to grow as an athlete and a person,” Arthun said. “With that growth comes the natural goals of placing at these big tournaments, and winning matches, but the real goals for this year come within always giving my 110 percent at practices, in lifts, in the classroom and in my diet.”
Southern Oregon University competes in the NAIA classification and is the defending team national champion.
Arthun wrestled at Bethel High School where she was part of a close-knit team.
“It was like a family,” Arthun said. “Everybody had each other’s back. If you were on the women’s wrestling team for Bethel, you had just about 15 extra sisters when you walked the halls of the school. It was a beautiful thing to be a part of.”
Because of this, Arthun plans to coach at Bethel after college.
Arthun attributes her success in reaching the collegiate level of wrestling to her devoted coaches, Mike Lowey and Shawn Thayer.
“They were the backbone of my success for six years and pushed me harder than I could ever push myself,” Arthun said.
Businesses wishing to sponsor Arthun can contact her at https://www.facebook.com/nevaeh.arthun.37.
