LARAMIE, Wyo. (Oct. 8, 2021) – With a new season on the horizon, the Wyoming Cowboy Wrestling squad welcomes a new class of freshman grapplers. Get to know the Cowboy Newcomers through this Q&A series. 
 
Freshman Branden Pagurayan made quite the change in scenery coming to Wyoming from Kapolei, Hawai'i where he competed for Kapolei High School winning two state titles. 
 
How has practice and training differed from high school to college?     
 
I think the biggest difference between practice and training in high school and college is the level of intensity and the amount of commitment required. Compared to my high school experience, I would say I'm surrounded by more teammates who are working very hard to reach athletic goals and that motivates me to want to better myself every day. It is very important to keep up with the workout schedule and to keep a solid mindset to get through the rigorous training.
 
What are you most looking forward to going into your fist season at UW?
 
Going into my first season here at UW, I am most looking forward to getting a taste of this level of collegiate competition. It has surely been a while since I've last competed, with my high school senior year season being cancelled. So, I am excited just to be getting back onto the mats and competing.
 
What is one thing you learned in your high school career that will help you to compete at the college level? 
 
One thing that I learned during my high school career that'll help me to compete at the college level is to never get too comfortable. By that, I mean that there is always room for improvement. You should never be satisfied with where you're at because you can always be better.
 
What is your favorite memory from your high school career?
 
I've had many great memories from my high school career, but one of my favorite memories was when my team won the team championship for our league. The team scores were tight all the way to the end and it came down to an intense last match which we ended up winning. That was during my junior year and it was probably one of my favorite years for wrestling because our team was very tight.
 
 Do you have any pre-match or pre-tournament rituals and/or superstitions?
 
I can't really say that I have a pre-match/tournament ritual or superstition because I never really believed in those type of things. But before every tournament or major match, I try to take the time to pray about my safety, my mindset, and be thankful for another opportunity to wrestle.
 
What's the best piece of advice you have been given during your wrestling career so far?
 
The best piece of advice that I've been given during my wrestling career so far is to do something today that your future self will thank you for. That advice can apply to all aspects of my life, not just wrestling. To me, this means to take care of business as soon as possible, to work hard so it'll pay off later, and to make the best decisions with the future in mind.
 
Coming from a state that's not as known for wrestling, do you have a chip on your shoulder at all?
 
Coming from a state that's not as known for wrestling, I do feel a chip on my shoulder, but it's not something that I'm always thinking about. In everything I do, I feel that I represent my home state and I want to make everyone at home proud. I wish to put Hawaii on the map for more scouting to be done for future athletes.
 
 
What were the biggest factors in you deciding to come to Wyoming from Hawaii?
 
My decision to come to Wyoming from Hawaii was not an easy one to make. But the biggest factors that stood out to me at Wyoming was the coaching staff and the location. I was set on leaving Hawaii for college and I wanted to go somewhere totally different to experience new things. I like the outdoors and Wyoming is beautiful. Also, the coaches during the recruiting process made me feel very welcomed and interested and I felt I would get along with the team pretty well.
 
What was your first trip to Wyoming like? 
 
My first trip to Wyoming was over this past summer. I flew out here to UW for a summer class and that gave me the perfect opportunity to get a feel for the place and get to know the wrestlers and coaches. I spent every weekday doing some light training in the wrestling room. During my free time, I would go out with fellow freshman and other wrestlers and they would show me new things and take me to places I've never been. Overall, it was a great experience and I don't regret coming here at all.