Counting on Boswell, both here and afar

For the past 25 years, if there’s one thing athletes at North Idaho College can count on, it’s that head athletic trainer Randy Boswell is looking out for them.

Now, some of the top wrestlers in the nation are finding out that same thing.

No matter if it’s a match at Christianson Gym, or for the gold medal in the world championships in Paris, Boswell is looking out for them.

BOSWELL RECENTLY returned from the wrestling world championships in France where the United States won the event for the first time in 22 years, topping Russia in the gold medal match.

“It’s an opportunity to work with the best athletes in the world,” Boswell said. “I get a chance to use my skills that I’ve learned, as well as share my knowledge with other countries, it’s win-win. I’m not shy about where I work either, so everyone that I come in contact with knows where I’m at.”

Boswell served as the head athletic trainer for the wrestling team, performing the same services he does at NIC.

“My role kind of expands a bit each time I travel with the team,” Boswell said. “It’s always comforting to know that these coaches trust me to be a part of this group. I traveled with this same group five weeks ago to Spain, and at that time, we didn’t have a doctor with us, so I had to perform some of those duties.”

For each USA Wrestling event, the group accepts applications of sorts from trainers nationwide. Boswell was selected as head trainer, and he worked with three assistants.

“There’s a lot of people that want to do it each time out,” Boswell said. “And I’m flattered to be honest each time I’m selected. Every time you go, the coaches and athletes can evaluate you on your performance. So I must be doing something right.”

Speaking of doing something right, Boswell pointed at the final bout of the weekend, a 213-pound match between Kyle Snyder of the United States against Abdusalim Sadulaev of Russia, which clinched the title.

“If we lose, we take silver and if we win, we take gold,” Boswell said. “Kyle was losing with 30 seconds to go, and wins it. The crowd went crazy, and you couldn’t have scripted better than that.”

American Jordan Burroughs, who won a fourth world championship, was another that Boswell has formed a connection with.

“It’s the third time I’ve been with him on this trip,” said Boswell of Burroughs. “It’s fun. When they come and look for you and trust you to take care of them, that’s something special.”

Since returning, Boswell added that he’s been approached by well-wishers, congratulating him on being a part of the team.

“It’s nice,” Boswell said. “The folks that know the wrestling part of things know it’s a big deal. It’s the first we’ve won in 22 years. To be part of a team that made history, it was a phenomenal experience.”

WHILE IN Paris, Boswell did take some time to see a few sights.

“When I’m on these trips, I’m on call around the clock,” Boswell said. “You’ve got to be cautious with your time, but I did take a couple of hours off to see the Eiffel Tower. But if guys are going to work out, I’m not taking off to go sightseeing. I work hard, and I think that goes a long way.”

His position with USA Wrestling is all volunteer, with no pay involved. This is the fifth time he’s been selected by USA Wrestling, the second as head trainer.

“When you’re selected, you go to the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo., and spend a couple of weeks with the program,” Boswell said. “You can rank the top five tours you’d like to go on and a committee decides where you go. The coach gets the final say-so, but it’s also the intangibles, if you’re going to be a good teammate, work hard, and have good chemistry. Fortunately, I’d worked with these coaches before as an assistant trainer and they knew what I was about.”

And don’t worry Cardinal fans, Boswell isn’t going anywhere.

“My first love is working at the college, and everyone I work with knows that,” Boswell said. “I love what I’m doing, and I’m not in a hurry to sit in a rocking chair.”

Jason Elliott is a sports writer for the Coeur d’Alene Press. He can be reached by telephone at (208) 664-8176, Ext. 2020 or via email at jelliott@cdapress.com. Follow him on Twitter @JECdAPress.