By ALIN HETT
Hays Post
RUSSELL - For the Donner brothers of Russell County, many of their strongest memories have been built inside wrestling rooms, on long road trips to tournaments and through years of pushing one another to improve both on and off the mat.
That kind of lifelong connection reflects the spirit of National Brothers Day, which was celebrated this past Sunday and highlights the unique bond shared between brothers.
Celebrated annually on May 24, National Brothers Day was created in the early 2000s to recognize that relationship. Though unofficial, the observance has steadily grown in popularity across the country.
For Nathan Donner, watching his sons Xzephren Donner, 18, and Xzander Donner, 16, grow together through sports has become about far more than wins and losses.
“They do a lot of wrestling, year-round,” Nathan said. “They both wrestle on the Kansas national team, they also played football and golf in high school, but their main sport has always been wrestling.”
Nathan introduced the boys to wrestling early. Xzephren began at age 7, while Xzander started at just 5 years old. Since then, the two have rarely slowed down.
“I signed them up when they were younger,” Nathan said, “and they never missed a season.”
Over time, both brothers transitioned into Greco-style wrestling while also competing in freestyle events year-round. Their dedication eventually led to national-level competition, with both brothers establishing themselves as standout athletes not only in Russell County, but across the state and national wrestling scene.
The Donner brothers even have their own wrestling room in downtown Russell, a testament to just how deeply wrestling has become woven into the family’s daily life.
Xzephren recently graduated high school and will continue wrestling this fall at Fort Hays State University while pursuing a degree in veterinary medicine. During his high school career, he compiled an impressive 136-32 record while setting school wrestling records along the way.
One of those accomplishments consists of being the first men’s state champion for Russel High School since 1969.
Meanwhile, Xzander has quickly emerged as one of the area’s rising stars. The sophomore wrestler holds an 86-7 high school record and recently earned a spot on Team USA’s U17 Greco World Team. He was also a Fargo finalist and took second place at the U.S. Marine Corps Junior and 16U National Championships, a tournament featuring more than 1,000 competitors.
For reference, “Fargo” is the world's largest and most prestigious high school wrestling tournament. Conducted annually every July at the FARGODOME in Fargo, North Dakota, it features Men's Freestyle, Greco-Roman and Women's Freestyle for athletes representing all 50 states.
Xzander will also be part of the u17 USA World Greco team this year as well.
Despite the accolades, Nathan believes one of the biggest reasons for their success has simply been having each other.
“They are always right there with each other,” Nathan said. “They’ve traveled on nationals together, and it’s funny to see them on the cameras and watching them on video. You can see them always giving each other high-fives throughout the matches.”
That support system became even more visible this past season when both brothers reached the state finals.
“They have made each other better wrestlers,” Nathan said. “They’ve always helped each other out.”
One of Xzephren's favorite wrestling memories did not involve his own accomplishments, despite his impressive record. Instead, it was watching his younger brother reach the Fargo Finals.
Xzander, meanwhile, says his favorite memories come from watching the different state-title moments throughout his wrestling career so far.
The competitive side of their relationship is undeniable, but so is the respect they share. When asked whether they see each other as brothers or teammates first, both gave nearly identical answers.
“Probably teammates,” the brothers said. “When we’re wrestling or training, we’re both trying to find ways to win and work together.”
Growing up together in the same sport created a constant source of motivation for Xzephren and Xzander, especially during long practices and demanding tournament schedules. The bond between them growing up and competing together has given them an advantage throughout their wrestling careers.
“It gives us somebody to compete with all the time,” Xzephren said. “We always want to be better and having somebody that close to you drives us to become more competitive.”
That competitive partnership has helped shape both wrestlers into some of the area’s top athletes, but it has also strengthened the relationship they share away from competition.
Even while competing individually on the mat, the two continue to celebrate each other’s accomplishments as if they were their own.
Nathan says while outsiders often compare the two because of their success, each brother has developed his own identity on the mat.
“Don’t compare them to each other,” Nathan said. “Both of them are different. One is good at folkstyle and at certain moves, and the other is good at other ones.”
Off the mat, however, the brothers remain close in ways that have nothing to do with wrestling. They enjoy fishing, hunting and golfing together whenever their schedules allow.
While they share similarities, like many siblings, they also have their differences.
According to Nathan, Xzephren takes longer getting ready in the mornings, while Xzander is known for taking his time before sporting events. Still, both brothers share similar pregame routines centered around music and finding the right mindset before competition.
For the Donner family, wrestling may have started as a sport. But over the years, it has become something much bigger: a way for two brothers to grow together, challenge one another and build a bond that extends far beyond the mat.