Alburnett's Rowdy Neighbor has the most unique name in wrestling and is ready to win big
Alburnett's spirit squad on Mat 7 for bout number 129 of Class 1A at the boys state tournament had fairly noticeable grins on their faces.
For the unknowing, it didn't make a lot of sense why the group appeared so eager for their wrestler to take the mat. However, one quick look at the name of their wrestler at 120 pounds suddenly makes it all so clear.
Introducing, Rowdy Neighbor.
Make no mistake about it, the junior has got the most unique name at this year's state tournament and maybe in Iowa sports period. As Neighbor began his match, the cheerleaders led with a "Let's. Get. Rowdy.", showcasing how much of a huge benefit his name is to the cheer squad.
Live results: Updates and analysis from Day 2 of Iowa boys state wrestling tournament
The origins of his first name begin with his older brother, Brody. Rowdy's brother was of the rambunctious sort, so his parents assumed Rowdy would be too. So, they dawned him with one of the most creative names in the sport to try and match what they thought his personality would be like.
From then and up until middle school, it was a perfect choice. Alburnett wresting coach Clayton Rush came to the school in 2016 and has known Neighbor since he was in elementary school. When he heard the name, he was naturally curious to find out why and he fairly quickly did.
"When he was in elementary and middle school, the name fit him perfectly," Rush said.
More: 3 takeaways from Class 1A's first session at the Iowa high school state wrestling tournament
Being a wrestler, it probably shouldn't come as too much of a surprise that the name suits him. Even Rowdy admits, that outside of one exception, he lives up to his billing.
"From time to time, I can be (rowdy)," Neighbor said. "Just usually not during wrestling season when I'm being sucked down by the weight cut, but yeah, I usually am."
The ability to get the "rowdiness" out before getting on the mat has been key to his success during his career. Even though he can be a rambunctious and fun guy off the mat at times , he's fairly even-keeled on it.
More: 3 takeaways from Class 3A's first session at the Iowa high school state wrestling tournament
In his freshman season, Neighbor finished in eighth place at the state tournament despite having the flu. He spent time vomiting just off to the side of the mats between matches but he still managed to get to the podium.
In year two, without a flu bug bogging him down, he made a statement by reaching the finals of the 113-pound class. On the way, he defeated then then-reigning champion and No. 1 seeded Eli Becerra of Missouri Valley to make his already eye-popping name stand out even more.
In his first finals appearance, Neighbor fell to Akron-Westfield's Cael Morrow by major decision. It was a disappointing end for what still was a fantastic season. Now, he's using it as fuel.
"I let the moment get too big," Neighbor said. "I just gotta remember that it's just another match and another tournament."
Thus far in his junior season, it's fairly evident how much it's driving him. He's the No. 1 seed at 120 pounds, racking up a 50-2 record through the regular season and day one of the boys state wrestling tournament. In his first and only match on Wednesday, he pinned Riverside's Kellen Oliver as the buzzer sounded in the second period. There, he showed his skills of being on top by rolling Oliver onto his back on multiple occasions before finally getting a win by fall.
He's got a tough road ahead of him in his class, with several tough contenders potentially waiting for him down the line. If seeding holds, he would get a rematch with Becerra, a senior who will no doubt be looking for some revenge with a bit of extra urgency to perform.
More: 3 takeaways from Class 2A's first session at the Iowa high school state wrestling tournament
"That'd be exciting knowing that he wants that match back, but I'm pretty confident," Neighbor said.
In the finals, the matchup if seeding held would be against Morrow, the one that held him from being a state champion last year. If he can pull it off, it would certainly be a storybook ending to his junior season.
Despite that, Rush is mainly proud of his wrestler for one thing, and that is the person he has become. As a father, Rush's kids are often around the wrestling program. Most of them, particularly his 4-year-old daughter, look to Neighbor as their role model.
As someone who did live up to that "Rowdy" name growing up, his growth on and off the mat is what stands out about this star wrestler.
"They (Rush's children) get to learn that just because you're a high-level athlete, it doesn't mean you get to act a certain way," Rush said. "You still treat people with respect, and that's why he does with my kids."
Eli McKown covers high school sports and wrestling for the Des Moines Register. Contact him at Emckown@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @EMcKown23.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Alburnett Rowdy Neighbor eager to win boys state wrestling tournament
