Native American Heritage Month Feature: Nika West championing wrestling, culture, and community in Arkansas

Nika West’s journey as a coach, mentor, and leader in the wrestling world is deeply intertwined with his heritage and personal experiences growing up on a reservation in Cherokee, North Carolina. A member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, West has become one of the paramount contributors to the growth of wrestling in Arkansas.

West’s upbringing on the reservation shaped his values and instilled in him a remarkable work ethic. As a teenager, during one winter break in high school, he cycled 32 miles to and from practice each day to attend wrestling practice as he had limited transportation from the reservation. The determination to participate is a trait that he hopes to pass on to his wrestlers.

“If you want to be here, you’ll find a way,” West explains. “That’s something I stress to these kids. Wrestling is a family, and we support one another.”

His passion for wrestling developed during his middle school years on the reservation and further grew when he attended Swain County High School in Bryson City, North Carolina. West’s high school coach played an instrumental role in his success.

“He really went out of his way for me,” West reflects. “I even lived with him my senior year, and he let me borrow his truck every Sunday so I could go home. That’s the kind of support I want to give back to my wrestlers. Regardless of financial stability, I want to make sure money is never a barrier to being part of our team.”

West’s commitment to growing the sport in Arkansas began in 2009. He started working with a small group of 14 wrestlers that year. A short time later, West recalls traveling with 18 athletes to Fargo, driving a yellow bus 16 hours from Arkansas. Throughout his time with the organization, West has witnessed a remarkable transformation.

In 2009, Arkansas had a total of 279 athletes and 33 wrestling leaders in the USA Wrestling membership network. Today, the state has 1,993 athletes and 308 wrestling leaders.

“It’s been incredible to see the growth,” West says. “We’re starting to get kids involved at the youth level, which makes the transition to freestyle so much smoother. The community is growing stronger every year.”

West shared a story of a group of female wrestlers that were having trouble getting to practice on time in the mornings. The group reached out to their principal, worked out a solution with the district’s transportation department, and are now able to ride the bus to arrive on time to practice daily.

West’s influence extends beyond coaching on the mat. A pivotal moment in his coaching career involved a young wrestler who, after a dedicated effort, secured a starting position on the wrestling team in his sophomore year.

“I had a wrestler, about five years ago, who busted his tail off as a freshman and didn't see the results. He continued to work hard and strive to be the best, and he came back as a sophomore. I found him crying in the corner one day after practice,” West recalls. “At first, I thought something was wrong, but he was just so happy. That moment stuck with me. It showed me the impact of what we do—building relationships and showing these kids that their hard work pays off.”