ARCHBOLD WEATHER

Who Needs A Break?

Dominique Prepares for Success

Brodie Dominique is shown wrestling in the 2021 district wrestling meet.– Buckeye file photo

Brodie Dominique is shown wrestling in the 2021 district wrestling meet.– Buckeye file photo

With the winter sports season upon us, one athlete is looking to make a big jump on the wrestling stage, a jump that began when last season ended.

Brodie Dominique, an AHS sophomore, used the majority of 2021 to hone his skills and prepare for a spot on top of the state wrestling podium.

Dominique placed seventh at state last season as a freshman– the first AHS freshman to place in the state tournament in 25 years.

It was after that tournament that Dominique dedicated himself more to the sport, vowing to return and have a better showing.

“I was determined to be in the wrestling room lifting and getting bigger and stronger,” said Dominique.

“I want to be on that top podium at state.”

Getting The Jump

After the 2021 state tournament, Dominique committed to a rigorous off-season that kept him in the AHS wrestling room through the spring and early summer months.

Dominique also traveled to Toledo to train at the Foxfire wrestling club.

“You go in and have a good partner every time. There’s basically no talking or slacking off the entire practice,” he said.

Dominique put in serious mileage during that time, competing in the Disney Nationals in Florida and a national team tournament in Indianapolis, Ind., with members consisting of Ohio athletes.

The Ohio team went on to win the national championship for the first time. Dominique finished 5-2 for the undefeated team.

“In my 32 years of coaching, I have had kids compete all over Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana in the off-season,” said Brian Becher, AHS head coach.

“Those that were more serious would do one to two trips that required extensive travel to North Dakota, Florida, Virginia, Louisiana, Tennessee, or Iowa. Brodie traveled to most of those states this off-season so he could wrestle against the best kids in the country.

“Most high school athletes are not willing to make the type of commitment that Brodie has.”

Nationals

Dominique took part in the Central regional in Fort Wayne, Ind., for the chance to qualify for a spot in the Cadet Greco and Freestyle Tournament in Fargo, N.D.

Dominique finished third in Freestyle and second in Greco to qualify.

Nationals was a three-day event: one day for Greco and two days for Freestyle.

“It’s a big tournament,” said Dominique.

“There are 40 mats across the whole stage and one big mat in the middle. I had to wrestle on it (the big mat) my first match. I was kind of nervous, but I went out there, did my thing, and won.”

Dominique finished in the top 12 in Freestyle, going 4- 2 in a 128-man bracket, and 2-2 in Greco.

Nerves? What Nerves?

The demeanor Dominique shows is one of quiet confidence.

To watch him prepare is a credit to the time he has put into the sport of wrestling.

“It’s all about experience,” said Dominique. “The more matches you get the less nervous you are.”

Dominique finished fifth in a preseason tournament where he defeated an Iowa state champion, and, on the flip side, lost to a state champion from Idaho.

Brodie recently went 2-2 in a tournament in Findlay where the majority of wrestlers were college age.

“It doesn’t matter who they are, I’m just gonna go out there and make them wrestle my match,” he said.

Dominique finally got a “break” once the soccer season began in late August. He was a key starter on the AHS boys soccer team, yet he still found time to compete in some preseason wrestling tournaments to stay ready for the upcoming season.

“I miss it a little,” said Dominique about his down time from wrestling.

Does he regret his decision?

Dominique was firm in his response.

“No….not at all!”