Senior Isaac Bruhl has helped the sixth-ranked Ankeny Centennial wrestling team to an 8-3 record, including a 3-1 mark in the CIML Conference.
The fourth-ranked Bruhl won all four of his matches on Saturday at the Valley Duals, including a 9-4 decision over No. 5 Elijah Blewitt of Indianola. He also recorded two pins and a technical fall at 150 pounds while raising his record to 16-2 on the season.
Bruhl is a two-time state qualifier who has compiled a 61-13 mark over the last three years.
Here is some inside info on Bruhl:
Congratulations on your four wins on Saturday. Were you happy with how you wrestled?
I felt like I wrestled solid, but there’s a lot to improve on. There was lots of scoring opportunities that I missed, and I feel like I need to really lock that in so it doesn’t happen.
You got a technical fall to seal your team’s victory over Dallas Center-Grimes. Do you like being the guy on the mat to determine the outcome of the meet?
Yes, I feel like when I have that pressure on me to go out there and win a dual for the team, I feel like it makes me want to compete even harder so our team comes out on top.
Your team went 2-2 on the day. What did you think of your team’s performance?
We battled and had some really good wrestling, but also there is a whole lot for us to improve on. I feel like when we’re all healthy and all on our best game we’ll be a tough team to beat and be able to compete with the other teams ahead of us.
Your only losses this season came in the finals of two tournaments–to Jabari Hinson of Ames in the Keith Young Invitational on Dec. 7 at Cedar Falls and to Justin Avila of Iowa City West in overtime in the Don Miller Invitational on Dec. 21 at Fort Dodge. Did you learn some things from those matches, and are you confident that you can avenge those losses down the road?
Yes, I learned a lot not just about wrestling but also the mental aspect of it. Those two dudes are really good wrestlers, and I feel like if I have the right mindset I can compete with both of them and the matches could go either way.
After reaching the quarterfinals of the Class 5A playoffs with the Centennial football team in November, did it take you awhile to get into wrestling shape? Are you happy with where your conditioning is at right now?
It definitely took a little bit for me to get back into wrestling shape, but I also feel like playing football and the conditioning from football helped me already be in decent shape for wrestling. I feel alright about my conditioning right now, but I’ll need to keep working to improve it so I can push the pace in every match I wrestle this year.
What do you feel like is your greatest strength as a wrestler?
I’d say my best strength as a wrestler is my athleticism. I feel like I’m athletic enough to wrestle with guys, and it helps out a lot.
Is there any aspect of the sport that you struggle with at all?
I feel like the thing I struggle the most with as a wrestler is my mindset going into things. I feel like my mindset changes a lot, and I need to stay locked in and focused this season.
You placed seventh as a sophomore at 138, then reached the quarterfinals at 157 last year before falling to eventual champion Kael Voinovich of Iowa City High. After dropping down to 150 this year, are you more comfortable at that weight?
Yes, I feel a lot better at 150. I feel like I was small at 157, but 150 feels like a good weight for me. I’m glad I made the change.
Do you feel like you can contend for a state title this year?
I feel like there’s multiple dudes at 150 that have the potential to compete for a state title, and that’s definitely a goal for me.
I know your team is still working on putting a full lineup together. If you guys can get everyone healthy, what do you think this team is capable of accomplishing?
I feel like once we’re able to get that full lineup and get people healthy and going, I feel like we could contend for a trophy at state duals and possibly individual state. We have a solid team and a lot of guys that work hard and push each other, which helps a lot.
You have been a three-sport standout in football, wrestling and baseball. Are you any closer to making a decision as far as which sport to play in college, and where?
I’m pushing more toward playing football as of right now! I haven’t yet decided where I want to play, and I’m still looking for a school.