Coe wrestler Matt Arsenault follows ‘15 things I need to do to be an All-American’

CEDAR RAPIDS — Coe’s Matt Arsenault posted a list on his bedroom wall.

The checklist is a reminder of the “15 things I need to do to be an All-American” that include how much sleep to get, nutrition, staying on top of schoolwork and even turning in assignments early, stretching for a specific period and steps for a positive attitude.

“I’ve been living by those religiously from the beginning of the season,” Arsenault said. “It extends beyond wrestling and into my schoolwork as well. It’s the little things that will get you that much further. If you do 100 push-ups a day, you’re that many push-ups ahead of everyone else.”

Arsenault has transitioned from a part-time starter who didn’t participate in last year’s postseason to the seventh-ranked 197-pounder nationally. He will attempt to earn a national berth at the NCAA Division III Lower Midwest Regional men’s wrestling tournament Thursday and Friday at Alliant Energy PowerHouse.

“We’ve been training hard all season,” Arsenault said. “This is where it matters the most. I think I’m as ready as I’ll ever be.”

Coe Coach John Oostendorp recalled recruiting Arsenault at Plainfield (Ill.) Central High School. The Illinois High School Association canceled the 2020-21 wrestling season due to COVID-19, but Oostendorp noticed Arsenault went to any club open and traveled with them to out-of-state tournaments to be able to wrestle.

“He’s been pretty good since he’s gotten here,” Oostendorp said. “He’s been really focused.”

“He’s really a self-motivated young man,”

Arsenault alternated with teammate Jared Voss last season, posting a 13-6 record with eight pins. Voss competed in the regional and qualified for the 2023 NCAA Championships. He attended to support Voss and the rest of the Kohawks.

Arsenault improved during the offseason. Voss dropped a weight and Arsenault assumed a full-time role, giving the Kohawks a successful upper-weight tandem.

“Jared Voss and I went back and forth at 197,” said Arsenault, who was 16-7 as a freshman. “He would wrestle and then I would wrestle some. Jared is a hell of a wrestler, too. Him and I as a combo at 184 and 197 is something the ARC wasn’t expecting to see this season. I think it’s worked out for us.

“I trained hard this entire offseason to put myself where I am. We had a damn tough lineup from top to bottom. Whatever way it shook out worked out for both of us and the team.”

Arsenault is 22-5 with 12 pins, a technical fall and two major decisions. He has won 13 of his last 14 matches, dating back to December. A strong work ethic has benefited the Kohawk junior. He’s embraced the tough and hard aspects, like getting up at 6 a.m. and braving the elements to lift weights.

“(Oostendorp) tells us all the time that you will look at that and say, ‘I’m doing this. I’m different than anyone else around me.’ And I’m doing it when other people aren’t,” Arsenault said. “It’s just embracing that toughness and expecting things to be hard. Not expecting it to be easy.”

Opponents don’t find his style easy to battle. Arsenault said he likes the physical nature of wrestling. He attempts to break opponents with persistent pressure and aggressiveness. Coaches have helped him develop that type of wrestling instead of forcing a different approach that better suits some of his teammates.

“You’ve just got to be mean,” Arsenault said. “I think a lot of guys go out there and try to be super slick and be super technically sound. Sometimes you have to get out there and let it fly.

“Relatively speaking, the best guys, obviously, have that technique. I think I have a lot of that as well, but you just have to go out there and do what you need to do to be successful. Don’t overthink it.”

Music helps him flip the switch from nice guy off the mat to monster on it. Motorhead’s “Ace of Spades” and “Sorry 4 The Wait” by Lil Wayne get him in the best frame of mind when he switches from headphones to headgear. Arsenault is all business when the whistle blows.

“He makes it uncomfortable to wrestle him,” Oostendorp said. “He’s kind of a brute out there and really comes at you. He’s in your face and that goes a long way in this sport.”

Arsenault and the Kohawks have a slight edge, being able to compete just down the street from where they train and live. He can view that checklist before heading to competition. Arsenault must earn a top-three finish for chance to complete the mission.

“All season my goal has been to be an All-American,” Arsenault said. “Just getting through this and then dominating at the national tournament is my end goal.”

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