By Chris Cox

Eisenhower junior Braedyn Blasi admits when he started wrestling it wasn’t his main focus.

“I started when I was like six years old,” he says. “I was always interested because it was something to do. Always the third sport to play with baseball and soccer.”

While it might have been his third sport as a kid, as he’s gotten older it’s become something he is incredibly passionate about.

“I like the challenges it gives me,” he says. “There’s never a season where I say ‘that was an easy season.’ There’s always tons of challenges to get over and when I get over them, it’s always rewarding.”

Blasi has already experienced a bit of adversity this season.

“I had to get over a couple of sicknesses,” he says. “I’m still getting over it a bit and eating a lot because I lost a lot of weight. Getting conditioned also isn’t easy but I’m finally coming back into it and it’s coming along nice.”

Blasi says two people have really helped him get to where he is on the mat.

“Coach Mike (Atkins) and a former upperclassman who is now in college, Mason Lavin, have definitely helped me,” he says. “Coach Mike has always been a motivator and pushed me in practice. I really look up to him. Mason also helped me during practice and if I have a question, I know I can go to him. He’s also someone I look up to.”

On the mat this season, Braedyn has set the bar high.

“This season, I definitely want to make it to state. That’s a big goal,” he says. “I also want to go into state with a positive record because I have yet to do that and that will help me with seeding. But my main goal is to make it to back to state this year and wrestle good.”

Off the mat, you can also find Braedyn on the soccer field where he is a member of the Tiger soccer team. After high school Braedyn says he plans to attend college and study psychology. As for sports at the next level, Blasi says he’s still undecided.

“I kind of want to see what my options are,” he says. “If I do get any opportunities, I’ll definitely think about it.”