I.C. West’s Nelson Brands stays calm amid chaos

IOWA CITY - Sophomore Nelson Brands walks onto the mat with thousands of people buzzing in Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines.

This is his first state meet and his last name alone - as the son of University of Iowa's assistant wrestling coach Terry Brands - brings more attention to him than most athletes. You would think he would be nervous.

Think again.

Brands defeated Cedar Rapids Xavier senior Clint Lembeck in the Class 3A state 138-pound state championship match, 6-5, the second time Brands had defeated Lembeck this year. He won the previous matchup, 10-7, in Mississippi Valley Conference finals.

Lembeck was ranked No. 1 at the start of the year.

'I wasn't at ease at all (when the championship pairing was set) but I also wasn't nervous,” Brands said. 'I did know how he wrestled though, which was an advantage.”

Brands' lack of intimidation or nervousness on the big stage is uncharacteristic of someone of his age. Brands cites his experience for keeping him calm.

'I worked really hard during the summer and it helped,” Brands said. 'All five wrestlers that qualified for state were all working hard in the summer and Coach (Mark) Reiland said that was a big key.”

Brands was the first finalist from West since 2012.

'I was more shocked by the moment than anything else,” Brands said. 'Most guys would've been celebrating, but I didn't.”

Although Brands might've been shocked, his teammates weren't.

'I didn't expect anything less from him,” said junior Carter Rohweder. 'I've seen him put the time and work in all year long and because of it he had the best tournament he's ever wrestled.”

Brands believes this dramatic state run was no fluke, but a reward for all his hard work.

'I feel like I've wrestled like (how I wrestled at state) all year,” Brands said. 'I learned a lot from all my three losses and I guess I peaked at the right time.”

Although there was much for Brands to celebrate, his focus on what was next did not waver.

'It was almost annoying; everyone wanted a hug,” Brands said. 'My dad was more in my line of thinking when he said ‘Good job, now here is where you can improve.'”

Brands' mind during all of the chaos was focused on one thing - the future. When asked what Brands hopes that future holds he responded in a typical Brands fashion, confidently and calmly.

'I am going for three,” he said.

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