Burrell following brother's footsteps

CEDAR RAPIDS - The writing is on the wall for Tyler Burrell. He sees it every time he steps into the Cedar Rapids Washington wrestling room. It serves as inspiration, motivation and a symbol of his own potential.

The writing is actually on a plaque in the shape of Iowa affixed to the practice room wall, honoring Brandon Burrell's 2008 Class 3A state title.

Tyler Burrell's career has almost mirrored his older brother's career and the Warriors' senior heavyweight is focused on capping his prep career in the same fashion.

"I always see (the plaque) and think I want one of them, right there," Tyler Burrell said. "That always motivates me to get better in practice. I always try to one-up my brother. I can't do that now, but I can at least match it."

The route to their final seasons are almost identical. Both took their knocks as freshman, improved as a sophomore and qualified for the state meet as juniors. While Brandon Burrell failed to reach the awards stand as a junior, the younger Burrell, who gained confidence from competing at state, placed sixth with a 32-10 record last year in his third high school season.

"His brother was a state champ. He has always wanted to do a little better than his brother," Washington Coach Matt Hatcher said. "That's kind of where the motivation comes from. I think he has internal motivation just to succeed in athletics or academics."

Tyler Burrell's achievements in the classroom rival those of his all-Mississippi Valley Conference honors in both football and wrestling. The defending MVC champion is a member of National Honor Society and an AP Scholar. During senior night ceremonies, he was said to be one of the school's valedictorians for the Class of 2012. Tyler Burrell said he hasn't decided whether to attend Iowa State next year, or join his brother at Central College in Pella to play football, or wrestle or both.

"He's just a great all-around kid," Hatcher said. "He's been a great asset to our program that's for sure."

The Burrell name has been long associated with Warriors athletics. Tyler's uncles were athletic standouts, including Doug Burrell, who played for the University of Iowa's 1985 Rose Bowl team, and Aaron Burrell, who played college football at Northwestern University. For parts of at least the last four decades, a Burrell has contributed to Washington sports.

"First of all, every one of my teachers knows me because they either know Brandon or (twin uncles) Keith and Kevin or Aaron or somebody," Tyler Burrell said. "It means a lot because when I see their names around the halls, it makes me want to get my name or picture up there. Be proud of it."

Takedown shots replaced jump shots thanks to Brandon Burrell. Like many brother relationships, Tyler Burrell looked up to his older sibling, and was exposed to wrestling by him. He dropped the ball, so to speak, to take the mat.

"I used to be a big basketball player before high school," Tyler Burrell said. "(Brandon) started wrestling and I watched him a little bit and he kind of got me into wrestling. That's when I started and I haven't gone back since."

Tyler Burrell is 16-1 this season with tournament titles at Bondurant-Farrar and DeWitt Central. The Warriors have won team titles at both with his 3-1 championship-match win over DeWitt Central's Creighton Fox, who is ranked fourth in 2A, breaking a tie with the Sabers.

"He's done a really nice job as well, carrying a team on his shoulders getting in a big match and if he's got to win (for the team) he's going to win," Hatcher said. "He's just as much of a team player as he is an individual."