I have been an Iowa wrestling fan my whole life and have been following them seriously(traveling to nationals and big tens etc) for the bulk of my adult life. With that said, there have been few Iowa wrestlers that I have pulled MORE for to win one in his senior year. Now for obvious reasons, I hope its the NCAA title, but even winning BigTens would be huge. Either way, it would most likely require him beating an all time great in Retherford(which, based on their careers, now has got to be a career goal for him)
I felt this way about Mena, Zaputil, Deanna and at least leading into his senior year Duane Goldman. I know I am forgetting several that got so close so many years.
EDIT: I recall Brandon's junior year(pretty sure), and Denver came to Urbandale for the big Ed Winger tournament. At that point, Brandon had been beat once or twice in high school, so he wasnt still chasing an undefeated career. In any case, he moved up that weekend to wrestle John Meeks. It was a great finals match and Meeks won a close one(6-5 or so). Well I was so impressed by a kid that wanted the challenge SO much that he would move up and risk an undefeated season. Loved it and was so happy that we were getting that kind of a competitor to join our team. Well, we all know how those two young men's careers have kind of gone in opposite directions since.
I hope he has it in him. He deserves it!!
Kick some ass Brandon!!
GO HAWKS!!
