Deyian Bernot, Miramar Grappler

WG’s Student Athlete of the Week

By Sylvester “Nunnie” Robinson

Lately, the Westside Gazette has covered some of less recognized sports on the high school level such as Cross Country and Volleyball. Another sport that probably deserves greater coverage is wrestling, a competitive sport requiring strength, stamina, courage and skill. If you’ve ever attended a match as a spectator or participated individually as a wrestler, those standards don’t surprise you, but if you are a complete novice some consternation may characterize your thought process. Though conceptually it is a team sport, individual performance excellence is necessary for team success just like XC and track & field. In wrestling size takes a backseat to the qualities mentioned above, although the competition is organized into weight classes.

Deyian Bernot is a 5’10” 138 pound sophomore who wrestles for perennial power Miramar High School, 2022-23 District Champions. The wrestling season begins in December and ends with the state tournament in March. Deyian began his wrestling career as a freshman.  Encouraged by friends he found wrestling to be unique and challenging. You see, there’s no hiding or depending on someone to come to the rescue once the match begins. It’s just you and your competitor. Obviously Deyian, undefeated so far, has all of the qualities  – quickness, strength, technique, endurance and skill – necessary for a state title, a stated, tangible goal. Deyian thoughtfully adds another dimension to the aforementioned attributes successful grapplers must possess: mental acuity or knowing when to employ techniques that your coach has spent hours in grueling practices teaching to ensure success or at the least a competitive advantage. This is especially significant in wrestling because so many of the really great ones have similar physical abilities, thus the champions usually set themselves apart because of their mental acumen i.e., knowing when to employ counter measures in critical moments. If family support is an important  element in Deyian’s success, then  he is halfway there. His parents, Roxanne and Waldimir, both of whom are employees of the Broward School Board, attend every match, and if one can’t attend the other is always there. He additionally has the support of siblings: Anielya, 21, who  attends FSU as a Vocal Performance Major and will graduate in May, then  start graduate school in August of 2023 at either FSU or University of Alabama.

Dimitri, a Dillard High grad and former basketball star, is a second year medical student St. George’s University in Grenada. He wants to specialize either in the field of Sports Medicine or Sports Psychology.

Denishea, currently residing in Illinois, earned her Associates Degree at Broward College and in the fall will attend USF in Tampa with plans to major in Communication Disorders. Her career path is to be an interpreter for the Deaf Community.

Mya is currently an Assistant Manager at Jimmy Jazz @ Broward Mall. She has plans on returning to school in the near future.

Deyian, the epitome of a student/athlete, has a 5.4 weighted gpa, making his academic and athletic goals extremely viable. His uncle, Curtis Wells and I, plan to follow his progress hopefully to the state. The WG posed several questions to Deyian to get a glimpse into his psyche as a young student/athlete, and his thoughtful, insightful responses reveal much about his personal character.

WG – What do you find appealing about being apart of team sport? Deyian – Team sports assist in the formation and growth of bonds through working hard and growing together.

WG – How do you personally view competition?

Deyian – Competition makes you stronger mentally and physically, a way of assessing or putting the acquired skills to the test and measuring where all of the hard work has gotten me.

WG – What’s your concept or view of a team leader or captain?

Deyian – A leader in my view is someone who possesses qualities that inspire and motivate others to excellence.

WG – How does being an athlete make you a better person or human being if you agree with statement?

Deyian – I do agree because it teaches me discipline and other skills I can use beyond sports in my daily life: knowing how to set goals, follow routines, be humble, grateful, put in the work , and how to treat others.

WG – At what age did you start competing in organized sports?

Deyian – This may surprise you, but I only started participating in organized sports my freshman year of high school.

WG –  What is your preferred venue to compete in.

Deyian –  l like competing on the home turf because it makes it more personal and puts more on the line, the crowd is alive and excited, bringing a lot of energy and it helps you to stay focused.

GW – What is your mantra or standard of excellence that keeps you motivated?

Deyian – Reach for perfection so that if or when you fall, you’ll land on greatness. Our publisher, Mr. Bobby R. Henry and the entire Westside Gazette staff, wish you great success in your future endeavors.