Name: Isaac Gurley

Grade: 10

Sport: Wrestling

Weight Class: 145

Fun facts about Isaac:

• He enjoys reading biographies
• He moved here from Tennessee
• He loves Rick and Morty
• He loves NBA 2K  

How long have you been wrestling?

“I’ve been wrestling for about five or six years now.”

What is one of the biggest influences in your wrestling career?

“There are so many influences I have had in wrestling. Coach Anderson runs a great program and has a wonderful coaching staff. I’d say since my freshman year the assistant coach, Mitch Hrynyak, has really helped me out a lot with a world of technique and has helped me develop my wrestling style. However, the initial person who inspired me to come out for the team was my grandpa. I wouldn’t have come out for wrestling, or even stuck with it for that matter, if it weren’t for him.”

What is your favorite wrestling memory?

“There are a ton of great wrestling memories; I love the group of guys on the team, and you get to experience a lot in the wrestling world. Although, I’d have to say my favorite wrestling memory would have to be from last year. I was up all night throwing up with the flu the day before a meet. The next day at the meet I continued to feel awfully sick, though [I] decided to wrestle anyway. In front of the home crowd, I wrestled the best I ever had and pinned both guys. The next day I continued my hot streak and won a tournament. [It was] for sure my best weekend of wrestling.”

How has wrestling impacted your life?

“Wrestling has impacted my life in numerous ways. During the wrestling season, you develop many good habits. You have great guidance from Coach Anderson, you learn discipline, you eat healthily, you get a lot of sleep, and overall you do a lot for both physical and mental health. I, like most who wrestle, try to carry these habits year-round the best I can. Wrestling builds a ton of character. There’s a reason they say, ‘Once you wrestle, everything else in life is easy.’”

What are your goals for the season?

“I haven’t been great about establishing goals as of now. I just achieved my starting goal of clinching the varsity 145 spot, but after talking with coaches I would like to qualify for States. It’ll be easier to set more [goals] after I start wrestling in more matches.”