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How did you get involved in wrestling?
I got started at a very early age and I have always been doing it. My dad was the one that got me involved through my school.
What other school(s) were you considering?
Stanford and some other Ivy league schools, but I really wanted to go to Iowa.
What made you pick Iowa over those schools?
I took a visit to Iowa City and just loved it. The whole atmosphere around there and how they support wrestling. I like how they support their wrestlers. Also, ever since I was young I looked up to Iowa as a powerhouse wrestling program.
I notice you picked Iowa over some Ivy league schools, and I am firm believer that one of Iowa’s strengths is it’s academic programs, but looking at the schools you turned down, was wrestling in the Big Ten something that was important to you?
I wanted to go to a school that was really good in wrestling and had really academics. Iowa is the best of both worlds.
You recently were named the OW at the Conflict at Carver, talk about what it was like to get back into the full swing of folk competition and how you were able to come out as the tournament’s most dominant wrestler.
It was the first competition of the season and it was good to get out on the mat and get a feel for everything. It was good to get out there and go hard, and dominate everyone on the mat.
You finished 3rd at preseason nationals, and that included a loss to a name Iowa high school fans are familiar with, Danny Kelly, but you bounced back to take third, including a win over Clayton talk about your preseason nationals performance, including that big win over Clayton.
Preseason nationals was a bad tournament for me. I wasn’t really happy with outcome and how I was wrestling. I would rather not look in the past and I would rather focus on getting better. It was a good tournament in that it showed me what I was doing wrong and what I need to work on in the future.
You are a part of the Izzy style club, and anyone that knows a little about Illinois HS wrestling, knows that club. Talk about being a part of the club, and how that competition and coaching get’s you ready as you prepare for your senior year, and eventually the D1 level.
My coach Izzy, he looks at the Iowa mindset and our practices are like that. He is always working to help us get better and get to a higher level and strive for greatness.
Is there a wrestler or coach in particular you are excited to work out with at Iowa?
Tony Ramos and Brent Metcalf.
What weight will you be wrestling at this upcoming season?
138 is not that much of a cut so that’s where I will be.
Who has been your toughest opponent to face to this point in your career?
Probably my coaches and other guys in my club.
Is there anyone you would like to thank?
I would like to thank everyone that has supported me. Coaches, family members, and practice partners.
Anything else you want the Hawkeye fans to know about you?
I am proud to be a Hawkeye and be supporting the Black and Gold!
[…] Turk announced his commitment to the university of Iowa in the fall, but in the end the pull of one of the nations top programs and wrestling in the Big Ten was too much and Turk gave his commitment to Tom Brands. […]