Brett Velasquez | Age 18 | Bennington
Every now and then you hear about a dominant athlete, one who takes their sport to another level,
shattering school records on the way to state championships. Bennington’s defending state champion
wrestler Brett Velasquez is one of those rare student-athletes.
Velasquez, a senior, began his journey to the top at age 5 while his family lived in Grand Island. There, he
wrestled for Grand Island Central Catholic’s youth program, later wrestling for Team Grand Island. After
moving in 2006, he continued his training with the youth program in Bennington, eventually competing
for the Badger’s varsity team as a freshman.
In his first season, Velasquez compiled an overall record of 37-2, capturing both conference and state
championships in the 103-pound division. During his sophomore year, he picked up where he left off,
going 40-1 in the 113-pound division, grabbing the district championship and again capturing both
conference and state crowns. Last year as a junior, Velasquez went 45-1 in the 120-pound division,
clinching the three-peat as champion at all three levels.
This year, wrestling in the 126-pound division and with a record of 35-0, Velasquez is well on his way to
closing out his high school career with another state title. He now has a career record of 157-4.
In addition to various state titles, Velasquez has been named Academic All-State each year. In the off-
season he has represented Nebraska in the Disney Duals twice; and last year he was named All-American.
He is currently first in his class academically, is a member of the National Honor Society and is the
Student Senate President. He was recently nominated for the Nebraska School Activities Association
Believers and Achievers Award. In addition to wrestling, he plays baseball where he is a 3x letter winner,
is in a Jazz Ensemble and is participating in the school musical.
Brett is the son of David and Dawn Velasquez. He has a younger brother, Josh Velasquez, who is a
sophomore wrestler for Bennington.
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