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Athlete of the Week Q & A: Brandon Womack
Each week, BRSN sits down for a Q & A session with the Athlete of the Week. This week, we caught up with sophomore Cornell wrestler, Brandon Womack, following his two victories at 165 pounds last weekend at the Grapple at the Garden to help lead the Big Red over both Hofstra and No. 10 Rutgers.
BRSN: Brandon, thank you for taking the time to speak with us. This weekend, you defeated Hofstra’s Bobby Fehr and Rutgers’ Willie Scott. Your win over Scott gave Cornell a 12-10 lead and was the first of five straight Big Red victories to end the dual. Can you walk us through your mindset before, during, and after the competition?
BW: I knew that my match could really shift the momentum of the dual. I was mentally prepared, and, as Coach Mike Grey told me before, “This is going to be your best match of the year, and its only going to get better from here.” I was a little nervous, but very confidant, and knew I just had to wrestle my match. Once the match began, all the nerves disappeared, and I was prepared to wrestle hard for seven minutes. When I got the opportunity to finish the match, I knew I had to capitalize, and I finished the match in the second period. I was pumped after the match. It is one of the best feelings — knowing that you won the match and helped your team the best you could. The Cornell crowd was electrified, and I believe that carried on through the rest of the dual.
BRSN: How long have you wrestled? How did you start?
BW: I started wrestling when I was four years old. My parents didn’t want me to start that young, but my older brother was wrestling at the time, and my parents couldn’t keep me off the mat. I wasn’t very good the first couple of years, but I loved it, and that’s all that mattered.
BRSN: How did you choose Cornell?
BW: It’s pretty hard to beat Cornell – great academics and great wrestling all in one place. On top of that, when I came to Cornell for a recruiting visit, and I met the team and the coaches, I knew Cornell was where I belonged. The culture surrounding this place is phenomenal.
BRSN: What are you looking forward to the most for the rest of this season?
BW: The EIWA’s and the NCAA tournament is what I look forward to most. That doesn’t mean that I’m looking past the rest of the season, but when you look at the big picture, that’s what comes to mind. This season is a long one, and I expect to continue to improve and better myself throughout. Hopefully at the end of the season, I will be at my best.
BRSN: What are some of your interests outside of wrestling?
BW: I grew up on a farm, so I really enjoy being outdoors. I love riding four wheelers, hunting, and fishing. Honestly, I prioritize my family over it all. My family has always been there for me, and, when I get the chance or have time off, I try to spend as much time as I can with my family. That may consist of working the cows or working on the farm, but, to me, time with my family beats just about everything else.
BRSN: What is one thing that most people don’t know about you?
BW: Though I don’t really have a lot of spare time, when I get the chance, I occasionally play video games. It’s always nice to be able to relax from a stressful week at school to just talk to my little brother and play Xbox.