CPU’s Rathbun will wrestle for Iowa

The University of Iowa continued its harvest of wrestling talent within the state borders.

The Hawkeyes plucked another top recruit from their own backyard.

Center Point-Urbana's two-time state champion Brock Rathbun announced Thursday that he committed to wrestle for Iowa Coach Tom Brands next season.

Rathbun recalled viewing Hawkeye videos on YouTube and the national tournament with his dad, Dan. Iowa wrestlers left an impression and he aspired to be in their shoes.

'I've been watching them since I can remember and that's all I grew up watching,” Rathbun said. 'It would always be Iowa dominating everybody. It's my home state. That's what I looked up to and wanted to be.”

Rathbun already trains in Iowa City. He is familiar with wrestlers in the room, including Lisbon's three-time state champion Carter Happel and Bettendorf state titlist Jack Wagner, who both committed to Iowa Tuesday. Rathbun selected Iowa over Grand Canyon University in Phoenix.

'I feel really comfortable in the room,” said Rathbun, who also considered University of Northern Iowa, Wartburg and Grand View. 'I probably know 90 percent of the kids on the team. It feels like the right fit for me.”

The coaches were a major influence, especially assistant Ryan Morningstar. Rathbun said that played into his decision.

'We work really well together,” Rathbun said. 'We just connect and click.”

Rathbun has won 96 straight matches, winning Class 2A state titles at 120 and 113 pounds the last two seasons. He was a state runner-up as a 106-pound freshman. He owns a 137-3 career record, planning to wrestle 126 this year for the Stormin' Pointers.

He said he expects to wrestle 125 and 133 for the Hawkeyes, striving for national titles. Rathbun's approach resembles the aggressive style associated with the Iowa program.

'I try to go out there and be mean (on the mat),” Rathbun said. 'It's my goal to dominate.”

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