Rathbun determined to remain the best

CENTER POINT - Center Point-Urbana's Brock Rathbun finds himself as king of the hill instead of having to make the steep climb to the top.

The defending state champion has not slowed down since reaching his spot atop Class 2A competition.

Rathbun continued his dominance with five pins Saturday at the Center Point-Urbana Duals. The top-ranked 120-pounder improved to 36-0, attempting to match last year's perfect season.

Gold draped around his neck comes with the matching target on his back. Rathbun has worked to stay ahead of the competition.

'This year I feel like I'm wrestling more aggressive,” Rathbun said. 'I don't know if it's something I have to prove, but I feel like I need to be more aggressive with everybody and not let anybody have a chance to score.”

CPU Coach Scott Slifka has witnessed a more confident wrestler that surprises him with his mat awareness.

'He will do moves that I don't know how to explain,” Slifka said. 'They are just natural to him. He is so confident. As a coach, he makes me nervous because sometimes he gets out of position but he knows exactly where he's at.”

After Saturday, Rathbun's career record jumped to 123-3. The two-time state finalist cleared a major hurdle in the 2014 state semifinals, defeating West Delaware's Pat Woods, who had beaten him multiple times including the finals his freshman year.

'It gave me a ton of confidence,” Rathbun said. 'After I got over him I felt like I could beat anybody.”

Not only has he beaten anybody, but he welcomes all challenges. He has experienced plenty of forfeits, forcing Slifka to adjust his lineup to get good matches. Rathbun wants to be tested.

'He's ready for anything,” Slifka said. 'He wants the competition. He's a competitor.”

Opponents have failed to last a full six minutes against him. he has ended every match early. Each pin Saturday came in the first period, wrestling 5:42 the entire day.

The lack of full matches has forced him to increase his conditioning workouts, waking up at 6 a.m. to run.

'I've gone in every morning before school, getting a workout in,” Rathbun said. 'Just so if I have somebody tough I'm going to go out and keep on him the whole match.”

Slifka said Rathbun has always been explosive and is one of the strongest pound-for-pound wrestlers he knows. Rathbun said he has made strides in one specific area.

'I think that's on my feet,” Rathbun said. 'Just going after them and getting my shots and not even giving them a chance.”

Rathbun has a good chance of capturing another title. His preparation in the off-season has put him in good position.

'Brock does a lot of summer wrestling,” said Slifka, who coached Rathbun's father, Dan, in football and wrestling at CPU. 'I think when he came out he was peaking. He just gets better as the season goes on.”

CPU went 3-2 overall, finishing third out of six teams in its home event. Dubuque Wahlert, 14th in 2A dual rankings by the Iowa Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association, was first, going 5-0. Oelwein placed second, going 4-1.

CENTER POINT-URBAMA DUALS

At Center Point

Team standings - 1. Dubuque Wahlert 5-0, 2. Oelwein 4-1, 3. CPU 3-2, 4. Mid-Prairie 2-3, 5. New London 1-4, Clayton Ridge 0-5.

First round

CPU 45, New London 36

Wahlert 69, Clayton Ridge 3

Oelwein 60, Mid-Prairie 18

Second round

CPU 70, Clayton Ridge 12

Oelwein 60, New London 21

Third round

Wahlert 55, Mid-Prairie 18

Oelwein 50, CPU 30

New London 39, Clayton Ridge 33

Fourth round

Wahlert 43, Oelwein 30

Mid-Prairie 54, Clayton Ridge 27

Fifth round

Wahlert 33, CPU 21

Mid-Prairie 54, New London 30

Oelwein 66, Clayton Ridge 12

Sixth round

CPU 51, Mid-Prairie 22

Wahlert 54, New London 24

l Comments: (319) 368-8679; kj.pilcher@thegazette.com