Overtime with Carter Isley

Carter Isley of Albia has been quickly climbing the ranks of the best high school wrestlers from the state of Iowa over the last 3 years. He found his way onto the podium as a freshman before making the finals as a Sophomore and then winning his first state title as a junior. Now this multi sport star enters his senior season looking for another title to add to his impressive resume as his college recruiting picks up. I recently had a chance to catch up with Carter about his career and his future.

What does your summer wrestling schedule look like? What events are you planning on attending in the coming months?

Well the Albia high school team has been practicing since June 1st. The team went to the Grandview team camp on the 6th of June. I’m going to the NWTC from the 15th through the 19th. Then going to represent team Iowa at Junior duals in Oklahoma. Then at the end of July I’m wrestling at Fargo in the 285 weight class.

What Freco club do you train with and who are your typical summer wrestling partners?

I wrestle at Youngbucks with local kids. But sometimes a couple of kids from Youngbucks and I go up to SE Polk and workout with them.

You are a very accomplished wrestler and won your 1st state title this season after placing 8th & 2nd as a freshman and sophomore. What would it mean to you to win another state title your senior year?

It was an amazing feeling to win a state title and I hope I can become Albia’s first 2x state champ. I want to end my high school career on top.

I know that you do play other sports as well including being a very good football player. Are you planning on wrestling in college or is there a possibility that you would choose to play another sport?

I am not 100% sure what I’m going to do in college. It’s between wrestling and football.

I know that your recruiting has picked up and many college coaches are trying to make there sales pitch of why you should go to there school. Do you have a time table for when you would like to make a decision on college?

I really want to make my decision during Christmas break.

Do you maybe have a short list of schools that are leading the way at this point?

Not in order but I really like Nebraska, UNI, and Iowa for wrestling. Then I really like Iowa State and Iowa for football.

Who have been your biggest influences in your wrestling career?

My biggest influence is probably Nick Pickerell. He is always there for me whenever I need to get a good workout in. Or when I really need to work on something like a move he breaks it down for me and we just work on that for awhile.

What wrestlers do you enjoy watching?

I really like watching Jordan Burroughs. He is super explosive and his technique is so fluent. He is an amazing wrestler on and off the mat. He is a down to earth guy and I really enjoy talking to him.

What do you like to do to get away from wrestling and relax?

When I get away from wrestling I like hanging out with friends, going to the movies, and frisbee golfing.