Just like that, the Hawkeyes have picked up one of the state’s (and nation’s) best lightweight recruits in two-time state champion Brock Rathbun of Center Point. Rathbun joins nationally ranked out of state recruits Alex Marinelli (160) and Kaleb Young (160), and recent Iowan verbals Carter Happel and Jack Wagner to give the Hawkeyes four top 100 recruits for the 2016 class. Rathbun checks in at #84 on InterMat’s top 100 rankings for 2016 on their last release.
“It’s the best choice for me. I grew up in Iowa and watching Iowa wrestling…I am so comfortable in the room, I have been practicing there for a while now (through the Eastern Iowa Wrestling Club). It just feels really comfortable to me.”
Rathbun won his first state title for Center Point as a sophomore at 113 defeating Ryan Leisure of Clear Lake by fall in the second period. The following year he bumped to 120 and captured his second state title by winning by bonus all the way to the finals before winning 10-3 in the finals over Brayden Curry.
The 2016 senior has really seen his stock rise in the past year as he has climbed all the way to #10 in his weight class rankings (InterMat – 2015 seniors not removed). The Center Point standout has also seen his stock rise to #3 on IA Wrestle’s pound for pound rankings, trailing only freestyle national champion Carter Happel. and Missouri-bound Ethan Andersen.
Rathbun has big goals for this season at Center Point, “Obviously I want to be an undefeated state champion. Last year I had one decision (his finals match) and you take that out and have all major decisions, that would be pretty good.”
“I’d like to thank my parents if it weren’t for them I wouldn’t even be here. They took me to all the little kid tournaments and got me all my experience, and I would like to thank my coaches for not giving up on me and always pushing me.”
Rathbun picked the Hawkeyes over Grand Canyon and UNI. He projects at either 125 or 133.