Athlete Spotlight: LJ Araujo

BISMARCK – When Bismarck High standout wrestler LJ Araujo was in middle school, he wrote down a list of goals he wanted to achieve before his high school career was through. Many of those goals have been reached, but a big one remains.

That being a five-time individual state champion; a feat that has only been reached by a handful of wrestlers in the state. 

Araujo won his first title at 106 pounds as an eighth grader. His second came at 126 as a freshman. Title No. 3 came at 145 as a sophomore, and last year he won at 160. The senior is competing mostly at the 172-weight class this season.

“At the lower weights you rely a lot on your quickness,’’ Araujo said. “As I moved up classes, I’ve been able to maintain my quickness, and that has helped against stronger opponents.”

His wrestling career has been filled with many highlights and accomplishments. 

He has just one loss against ND high school competition since early in his freshman season. And in addition to the region and state individual titles, he gained valuable experience and achieve success at regional and national tournaments where the competition is much stronger.

“That’s how you get better,’’ he said. “You have to challenge yourself against the best.”

Yet sometimes a few losses have to be endured along the way.

“It’s always tough to lose, but I’ve learned to keep things in perspective,’’ he said. “You can learn something from every match.”

Araujo held a summer job for a while, but eventually committed his free time to train and hone his wrestling skills, noting the added time enabled him to make big strides in his development. “(Former BHS wrestler) Chad Renner coaches me in the summer,’’ Araujo. “He believes in me and what I can achieve.”

Prior to the start of this high school season, Araujo competed in the Super 32 Tournament in Greensboro, North Carolina in October and put together an impressive run, winning his weight division and knocking off several nationally-ranked wrestlers.

 “I wasn’t ranked heading into that tournament, but you have to believe in yourself,’’ he said. 

Bismarck co-head coach Mark Lardy said LJ is an extremely hard worker who always is looking to push himself. He seeks tough competition and wants to improve his skills.

One of areas that set him apart is the ability to stay calm when the going gets tough.

“There have been many times where he’s in a tough situation (in a match) that other wrestlers bail on, Lardy said. “But he keeps working through the position and ends up winning the position. He is extremely fun to watch.”

One of the goals Araujo has reached is obtaining a Division One scholarship. After looking at a number of schools, he decided to commit to the University of Nebraska next fall. The Cornhusker program is nationally-ranked and Araujo said he liked the facilities and connected with the coaching staff during his visit.  “It felt right,’’ he said.

Araujo began wrestling in kindergarten in Dickinson, and when his family moved to Bismarck, participated in the Matpac program in grade school. He’s not the only one in his family that is pretty capable on a wrestling match. His sister, Julia, a BHS freshman, has two state titles of her own and a work ethic to match LJ. Growing up the two would often practice at home on wrestling mat rolled out in the living room.  

“She’s got a lot of talent and it’s been fun to watch her,’’ he said

Araujo said one of the great things about the tradition-rich BHS program is there are many past champions to look up to. Many of them have mentored younger wrestlers in the Matpac program over the years. One former BHS wrestler and Matpac coach who has worked with LJ is Ryan Blees. The former state champion has spent time helping Araujo develop his wrestling skills.

Success doesn’t come easy. It requires attention to detail and a willingness to learn. 

“LJ has always been extremely coachable,’’ Lardy said. “He wants to know things that he can improve on and looks for people who can help him improve. One of things that also standouts out to me is his ability to perform the technique that is shown the first time he sees it. Most kids need a lot more repetitions to master a technique.”

The Bismarck High program has no peer when it comes excellence. The tradition can be seen its large number of state championship banners and wall of past individual champions in its wrestling training room.  

Araujo has added to that rich history, but he knows being a good wrestler is just one part to this program’s success. Displaying strong leadership character and being a supportive teammate is just as important. 

“A lot of our wrestlers look up to LJ,’’ Lardy said. “His success has definitely made others want to get better. LJ is good about working with other wrestlers in our room to help them improve as well.”