Freshman Shamil Islamov feels pressure to follow in his family’s footsteps, but he has handled it well this season for Baldwin.

His older brother, Class of 2025 grad Ramil Islamov, was a WPIAL champion wrestler, Baldwin’s first since 1966. He won 148 matches at Baldwin, and then he went 14-7 in his freshman year at West Virginia University.

When Shamil Islamov started wrestling, he would not win every match. However, this gave him motivation to keep going

“I started in kindergarten, and I would always cry,” he said. But eventually, “it got to the point where I fell in love with the sport.”

Having his family’s support, especially from his older brother, is important to his wrestling career. Even though his brother cannot be there for all of his matches, Ramil still makes efforts to support him in every way possible.

“My brother has been an influence,” Islamov said. “Before my matches, he would text me and get me confident, so I would just go dominate.”

Along with his brother, his teammates are also a big part of his wrestling mindset and career. 

“Looking up at the older people and following them, and them supporting me” has been important this season, Islamov said.

Junior captain Dylan Fleming gives credit to Islamov for his leadership. 

“He’s really made a name for himself,” Fleming said. “He seems to care more about the team, being more involved with the team, as well as being a good wrestler. He’s a good leader to everybody.”

Islamov wrestles in the 114-pound weight class, but will occasionally move up to the 121-pound weight class to help out with the team. Fleming praised Islamov, saying that “114 and 121 are some of the hardest weight classes in the state.”

Islamov’s current record is 28-5, which is an 84% win rate. Over the weekend, he finished third at the sectional tournament, earning a spot in the WPIAL individual championships.

“My goal is to make states as a freshman,” Islamov said. 

Freshman Ryan Summerfield explained Islamov’s contribution to the team.

“He helps us get a lot of points in close matches and helps us secure some points early on, which helps in the end,” Summerfield said.

Earlier in the year, when Baldwin went against Peters Township, a good team, Islamov showed out. 

“Peters Township, it was a very close one,” Summerfield said.

Islamov ended up pinning a freshman in that matchup, and it ended up helping Baldwin win that match. 

Islamov loves the sport and how it has affected his life. 

“When you start wrestling, everything else in life is easier,” Islamov said.