NO TIME LIKE PRESENT FOR WALDORF'S STOCKTON
Waldorf College’s 141-pounder Brad Stockton may be a heavy favorite to win an NAIA title when the senior competes at the 2007 nationals. By the way that he is approaching things at this point in his career, Stockton, a sophomore for the Warriors, isn’t content on waiting a couple of years for NAIA gold. He’s gunning for the top honor on March 4-5, 2005 in Sioux City, Iowa.
“That’s all that I think about,’’ Stockton said. “I’m not thinking about winning it next year or the year after that. My focus is on getting it done this year, that’s my mindset. I don’t want to let anyone down.
“I don’t feel too much pressure, though. If something does happen at the nationals and I don’t win, I can come back next year. But, I can’t even think that way right now.’’
Win
ning the crown next month in Sioux City is definitely within reach for Stockton. As a freshman, he placed fourth at the nationals after losing a 6-5 decision to eventual champion James Guizar from Menlo College in the semifinals.“Last year, I didn’t really know what to expect,’’ Stockton said. “I wasn’t really familiar with the competition in the NAIA. I just wanted to go out there and show what I could do.’’
Stockton is a serious competitor at this point, but it wasn’t always that way. He started wrestling in Williamsburg, Iowa, at a very young age and wasn’t the committed athlete that he is now.
“I was always the kid that was goofing off,’’ Stockton said. “I really didn’t start getting serious about it until I was in seventh or eighth grade. I think that I got more mature and I realized that wrestling was for me.’’
That maturity and love for the sport paid off when Stockton entered Williamsburg High School. He did take part in other sports such as cross country and track, but the main reason that he took part in those endeavors was to stay in shape for wrestling.
As a sophomore, he placed second in the state for Williamsburg High before deciding to transfer to Iowa City West for his last two years of high school. As a senior, Stockton captured the Class 3A state championship at 130 pounds. Stockton moved on to junior college powerhouse Iowa Central Community College, where he redshirted a year before finding a home at Waldorf in the fall of 2003.
“It just wasn’t a good fit for me at Iowa Central,’’ Stockton said. “There was a time when I wanted to wrestle at the Division I level. But, I’m happy where I’m at and I like the atmosphere at Waldorf. I like the coaches and I get along well with my teammates.’’
Given that he’s already won the St. Olaf Open, the Coe College Invitational and the Central College Invitational this season, it’s a good bet the Waldorf wrestling family is happy with him as well.
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