Let's Talk Wrestling

Bradley starred for the Bettendorf Bulldogs in high school, placing 3 times and collecting a state title. He would travel 3 and a half hours to practice at Sebolt Wrestling Academy. But if Bradley wanted to reach his goals, he knew he had to make the trip. After spending two years as a Hawkeye, Bradley made the decision to head to Oklahoma, where he’s ready to show the wrestling world (and himself...

Christian was the #1 pound-for-pound wrestler in the class of 2023. He was a U20 World Team Member, a 2x Super 32 champ and a junior freestyle national champ. But what does that guarantee you? As Christian came to find out: absolutely nothing. Originating from Elkhart, IN, Christian spent a year at both Oklahoma State and Iowa State. Things seemed to be going a little sideways for him. But with th...

The name “Killian” is tied to Celtic roots meaning “bright-headed” and “little warrior”. This name perfectly depicts our next guest, Killian Cardinale. A 2x AA at West Virginia, his achievements didn’t come without overcoming adversity. He started his college career at Old Dominion before they cut their program. He found a home at West Virginia, but injuries threatened his ability to compete. True...

Carl really didn’t go all-in on wrestling until his freshman year of high school. And even then, he was JV. But each year after that, he saw major gains. Carl ended up a 2x state placewinner and state champ for West Delaware. His success carried over to Upper Iowa, where he was 3x AA. Carl ended his college career with the most wins in Peacock history. He now owns a construction business near Manc...

Matt Hoover won state titles. He won The Biggest Loser. But, as he learned, those victories didn’t guarantee him a lifetime of success. He’s battled adversity, regret, his weight. However, with the help of a strong support system and some tough self-reflection, Matt has found peace within himself. He lives in Washington state with his wife and kids and coaches at Cascade Christian High School. So...

Eric Schultz joins me for the 5th time. Last we met with Eric, he was training at the NWTC in Lincoln, NE and coaching at Nebraska Wesleyan University. He has recently moved to Champaign, IL and is an assistant coach at the University of Illinois. Oh, and he still helps out with Clare's photography business. So please, sit back, relax and enjoy, Assistant Coach Eric Schultz! Clare's Photog...

Tanner is from Humboldt, IA where he was a 3x state qualifier and 2x placewinner for the Wildcats, finishing 3rd as a junior and winning it all as a senior. He spent the next two years at Iowa Central, finishing 5th as a sophomore to claim AA status. The 2009 team he was on was recently inducted into the IC Athletics HOF. Life after Iowa Central got rocky for Tanner. But he’s found a way to grind...

Jared is from Clearwater, FL and was a 3x state champ for Clearwater Countryside HS. He went on to wrestle at the University of Oklahoma, where he was a 2x AA and national finalist. He competed for years at the senior level, consistently making the US national team. Finally, in 2012, Jared made his first Olympic Team at the ripe age of 33. He now enters his ninth year at Virginia Tech (and fourth...

Nate is from Pleasant Hill, IA and was a 3x placewinner and 2x state champ for SE Polk. In 2021, Nate represented Team USA at Cadet Worlds in Budapest, Hungary and came away with a bronze medal. However, prior to his senior year, Nate decided to step away from the sport. He turned his attention to the Navy and is currently stationed in Norfolk, VA. So please, sit back, relax and enjoy, Nate Jesuro...

Dylan is from Tiffin, IA and went on to become a 4x state placewinner and 2x state champion for Iowa City West. He was on some of the toughest teams the Trojans have ever produced. Dylan wrestled at the University of Iowa, but unfortunately injuries cut his career short. After competing, Dylan entered the coaching space. With the support of his staff and parents, he’s built one of the top wrestlin...

Victor is from Brecksville, OH and was a 2x state champ for Brecksville HS. He spent two years in Stillwater and was a national qualifier as a RS freshman for Oklahoma State. Victor made the decision to transfer to Iowa, where he’s spent the last two years. After missing last year due to injury, Victor is ripe and ready to compete. He recently went 1-1 at his first Senior World Championships while...

Jon is from Riceville, IA, where he was a 4x state qualifier and 3x placewinner. He went on to wrestle at Central College and was a 3x AA and 2x national champ. Jon made the U.S. national team in 1998, finished 3rd at the 98 WTT and also placed 4th at the 2000 Olympic Trials. He’s been the head coach at the University of Dubuque since 2002 and has only added to his elite résumé. In 2024, Jon was i...

Noah is from Epworth, IA and was a 2x state qualifier for the Bobcats. After placing 6th as a senior, Noah went to the University of Dubuque for a stint. He later enlisted in the marines and served 6 years. Nowadays, Noah is out west as a firefighter in LA County. Noah has a great perspective on life and that is what makes this episode so valuable. So please, sit back, relax and enjoy, Noah Southw...

Ty is from Glenwood, IA, where he describes himself as a “late bloomer”. He was a 3x state qualifier, 2x state finalist and a state champ his senior year. Ty’s upward trajectory continued at Augustana University, as he became just the third 4x AA in Vikings history. He was recently inducted into the Augustana Athletics Hall of Fame for his accomplishments. So please, sit back, relax and enjoy, Ty...

Brett is from Bennington, NE and was a 4x state champ for the Badgers, finishing with a career record of 171-4. Brett went on to wrestle at St. Cloud State, where he was a 4x DII AA. He won a national title as a freshman before finishing 3rd and 4th twice. After graduating, Brett went to the University of Iowa, received his Doctorate of Physical Therapy and currently works at Rock Valley Physical...

Jake is from Battle Creek, IA and went to OABCIG HS. He was a 2x state qualifier, finishing 5th as a senior. Jake went to UNI, where he got his foot in the coaching door. He helped out at Waterloo West with Steve Farrell and Independence with Mike Doyle. He also did some work with the Iron Sharpens Iron camps throughout the summer. Jake is now a teacher at Bellevue East in Nebraska and is gearing...

Frank is from Odin, IL and wrestled at Centralia HS, where he was inducted into the Centralia Sports Hall of Fame in 2024. Frank competed at Lincoln College, where he was an NJCAA AA, before finishing his career at Bloomsburg University. After competing, Frank entered the coaching ranks, with stints at Bloomsburg, Buffalo, Binghamton and NC State before being hired as head coach at George Mason. O...

Mark is from Eagle Grove, IA and is one of the best to ever don the purple and gold. He placed 6th as a freshman before ripping off 3 straight state titles for the Eagles. Mark started his college career at Iowa State before transferring to Wartburg. He went on to become a 2x AA and was a part of 2 national team titles. Mark has spent the last 12 years as a volunteer assistant coach for the Knight...

Brandon is from Shenandoah, IA and attended Lewis Central HS, where the 01 team he was on is arguably the best in state history. He would go on to place 4 times and win 3 state titles. Brandon went to Oklahoma State and was an AA for the Cowboys, finishing 5th as a sophomore. He went on to secure his doctorate and is now a radiologist while still hanging around the wrestling program as their team...

Garrett is from Murrysville, PA and attended Franklin Regional HS. His high school career ended in some disappointment, as he never qualified for the state tournament. However, as we’ve found many times throughout this podcast, high school accolades don’t mean squat when it comes to college success. Garrett, now at Ohio University, is a 2x NCAA qualifier and a MAC champion. With one year left, he...

Blake is from Decorah, IA and was a 2x placer for the Vikings. He went to Wartburg and finished 5th as a junior, helping the Knights to their first-ever national championship. After graduating, Blake entered the coaching scene with a stint at Center Point-Urbana before spending over 20 years as head coach between Solon and Cedar Rapids Prairie. So please, sit back, relax and enjoy, Blake Williams!...

Joel is from Pleasant Hill, IA and wrestled for the Southeast Polk Rams. He was a 3x placewinner, winning a state title as a junior. Joel began his career at the University of Iowa and had a successful couple years there. Prior to this past season, he decided to transfer to St. Cloud State, where he finished 2nd at the DII national tournament. So please, sit back, relax and enjoy, Joel Jesuroga! E...

Dalton is from Missouri Valley, IA, which is about as far west as you can get in Iowa before you cross the border into Nebraska. At Missouri Valley HS, he was a 3x placewinner and 2x state champ. Dalton started his career at Iowa State, where he was a national qualifier as a sophomore. He then transferred to Nebraska-Kearney, finishing as a 2x finalist and national champ for the Lopers. Dalton hop...

Matt is from Glenwood, IA. He was a 4x state qualifier for the Rams, placing 5th as a junior and winning a state title as a senior. Matt spent his redshirt year at Iowa before transferring to Nebraska-Kearney and becoming a Loper legend. Matt was a 5x AA, placing 4th and 5th to go along with 2 national titles. In 2022, he helped lead UNK to their first team title since 2013. After spending two yea...

Dave is from Riceville, IA, where he was recently inducted into the Riceville High School Hall of Fame. Dave went on to wrestle at UW-La Crosse and earned AA honors after placing 3rd his senior. Dave just finished up his 29th year as head coach at Luther College and he has built quite the résumé. Along with his tenure, his Train Like A Norseman camps and Luther College Open has become well known a...