The goal for every athlete is to get better every year.
That’s exactly what Ozark’s Braxton Strick has done since storming onto the wrestling scene as a freshman.
Strick’s decision to start wrestling may not have happened if not for a frustrating game of Sorry.
“My dad’s good family friend was over at the house we were playing a board game, and I got mad at the board game. He was holding me down, he’s a wrestling coach, and I slapped him in the face. My parents were like, ‘we’re so sorry.’ He said, ‘It’s okay but he has to come to wrestling practice,’” said the Ozark senior.
So, he did. Turns out Braxton’s better on the mat than he was at Sorry.
“When I was in about 4th or 5th grade I started to really work at it and realized I was really good at it,” Braxton said.
Even Ozark high school wrestling coach Tod Sundlie saw he had potential at a young age.
“In our junior high program Braxton was already having success,” said Sundlie.
As a freshman, that success continued.
“It is a huge jump from that level but obviously as a freshman, he jumped right into the heat of things at the varsity level and showed he was ready to compete,” Sundlie said.
In his first varsity season, Strick placed third at state.
As a sophomore, his only loss came in the state championship match.
Junior year, Braxton finally achieved his ultimate goal of becoming the sixth state champion in Ozark wrestling history.
“The thing about Braxton is it’s never real flashy. Fundamentally he’s extremely sound in all positions, he can beat you in a lot of different ways. He’s just a competitor, and competitors hate to lose,” Sundlie said.
Now at the top, Braxton has no problem staying motivated.
“I mean there’s always someone that can beat me. My goal is just to be better than that person and keep climbing the ranks until nobody can beat me,” Braxton said.
“Talks a lot about getting his teammates on the podium at state,” Sundlie added. “He’s not too focused on himself, I think that relieves a lot of stress and anxiety of being a returning champ.”
But make no mistake, Braxton hopes to be right there with his teammates on that podium.
“I have to go win another one, I don’t have to, but I want to,” Braxton said.
He’s on his way – with a 30-2 record already this season.
