Geneva's Thomas looks to finish mat career strong at Otterbein

Jan. 2—Four years ago, when Brandon Thomas had his high school wrestling career come to an end at the Alliance Division II District Tournament a match or two shy of reaching the state tournament, he knew he wasn't quite ready to come off the mat just yet.

Now, as the Geneva graduate prepares for the stretch run of his final season of wrestling for Otterbein University, he's still not sure.

"It's gonna be weird," he said with a laugh. "Right now, I just want to finish the season on a good note. This season hasn't gotten off to the best of starts, so hopefully I can pick it up in the second half and finish my career on a good note."

It would seem good notes and wrestling haven't always gone together for Thomas.

In his senior year of high school, an injury late in the football season wiped out much of the mat season. Thomas worked his way back in time for the postseason, only to have his dream of reaching the state tournament get upended in Alliance.

Then in college, he was immediately greeted by the coronavirus pandemic that interrupted his freshman season.

Thomas also transitioned from a heavyweight his two years down to the 197-pound weight class for the remainder of his college career.

There have been other bumps and bruises along the way, but through it all though, he's always loved the sport of wrestling and his time as Otterbein has been something that has added a lot to his life.

"I definitely think that," he said. "I've met great people, my coaches have taught me incredible things. I've met people from all across Ohio and other places and many of them have become my best friends. It's wild all the people I've met and where they've come from and what they're doing after college."

Growing up, football seemed like it would be the sport Thomas would continue. He was a standout defensive end for the Eagles. But, about his sophomore or junior year, it was the mat that won out.

"I just loved wrestling more," he said of his time at Geneva. "I loved the practices more, the competition. With wrestling there's more chemistry with a team, especially in college; I love all my teammates, it's been a great bond."

High School wrestling is a brutal sport, but at the college level it's another degree of discipline.

The famous term, "freshman 15," refers to the weight students put on in their first year of college.

Also keep in mind, Otterbein is a Division III school for athletics, which means scholarships aren't handed out for athletics.

So, why be involved with it?

For Thomas, the reason is no different from all the other D-III athletes that just love the thrill of competition, even if they're not getting tuition assistance.

"There's definitely days where I ask myself why I'm doing this?" he said. "But I wouldn't trade the time for anything. It's definitely been something I've loved.

Wrestling, though, is a sport that can be hard to love.

It requires staying in shape year round, rigorous practice everyday and constant travel throughout the region, where the competition is always top notch.

"My parents [Paul and Susan Thomas] often drive eight hours just to see me wrestle three matches," Thomas said. "My family knows I love this and they've given me great support."

Support is definitely something college wrestlers can't get enough of.

In high school, guys like Thomas get their share of quick pins and easy matches. But at the college level, every opponent is a challenge.

"It's definitely tough," Thomas said. "Just having to maintain the weight all year is very difficult. Practices are tough, competitions even tougher. It's been a long journey but I've loved it."

What he's loved even more though is what he's learned off the mat.

Not that competing isn't important to him, but Thomas said he's not even sure of what his season record is, or if he's won more than he's lost in college.

But there's still a great deal to take pride in, things such as being named an Academic All American his sophomore year and being selected for the Ohio Athletic Conference All-Academic team last year.

Thomas also positioned himself to graduate with a double major in business administration and finance and working on an internship in the Columbus area.

"Those were the biggest goals for everyone," he said. "To be able to get those academic honors along with wrestling."

Along the way, he's met people that have had tremendous impact in his life.

Thomas tells about a mentor who is now working in exercise science at Ohio State or a roommate who is in the military involved with cyber-security.

These are the stories that have made his time wrestling worthwhile.

As his wrestling career comes to a close, it does for Thomas with the reality of not being a state qualifier in high school. Nor was he ever an All-American at the college level.

But, does that mean he has any regrets about his career?

"I don't think so," Thomas said with a smile. "I try not to think back. I can't change anything. I can only hope to be better in the future. I think I did everything I could and there's no regrets about anything."