Ian Nelson knew he was going to help coach youngsters in Wolfpack Wrestling because it was a decision he had made long ago.

When the high school senior was in elementary school and competing in Wolfpack Wrestling, Sig Decker was a high school student who helped coach and inspire him.

“I really looked up to him and I wanted to be like him,” Nelson said. “He helped coach as his senior project. And I wanted to be like him. After he passed away, I knew I wanted to do what he did.”

Nelson kept that in mind this past youth wrestling season as he carefully watched, walking among the young athletes in kindergarten through fifth grade and correcting their form and drilling them on their movements.

During the Wolfpack Wrestling tournament on Feb. 21, Nelson spent the entire day encouraging the young wrestlers while also refereeing several matches.

“I really liked doing it because I could help the kids create a strong base for wrestling where they could have more success in the future,” he said. “All of those kids can be great. They just need to stay focused.”

While Nelson has enjoyed wrestling throughout his time as a student, he said he believes it is now time to hang up the wrestling shoes as this chapter comes to an end.

“I’m actually enlisting in the Air Force after I graduate,” Nelson said. “I’m not going to try to wrestle while I’m there. Wrestling has been great for me, but I think it’s time to break away and focus on other things.”

Nelson said that what he will be pursuing is highly specialized, as he would like to be part of the elite pararescue unit in the Air Force.

“I have to pass the initial fitness test before I ship out,” he said. “I’ll be going to special warfare training.”

Nelson said he has been interested in the Air Force since middle school, and there is a chance he might consider a full military career.

While he acknowledges it won’t be easy, he said he is prepared because of what he learned from so many years of wrestling.

“Wrestling helps develop discipline and self-discipline,” he said. “Looking back on things, Coach (Jack) Carney has a way of always making you want to do your best. Not just as a coach, but as a teacher. And Mr. (Winston) Davies can be hard on you, but he’s fair and he makes you have a tough skin.”

Regardless of what his future may hold with the Air Force, one way or the other Nelson said he won’t forget his roots and “definitely” plans to return to Wrangell one day.