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Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/200613
w r e s t l i n g F E A T U RE : B R A D E N A T W O O D Ready To Lead Junior wrestler, Boilermakers looking to build on prior successes By BRANDAN ALFORD BrandanAlford@Gmail.com B raden Atwood never had a doubt about where he wanted to go to school. Going through the recruiting process years ago, the Boilermaker wrestling program was at the top of his list. Growing up just 30 minutes away in nearby Delphi, Atwood was well aware of the Boilers as he was putting the finishing touches on a dominant high school career at Delphi Community High School. But his exposure to Purdue pre-dated even his prep years just down the road. "From working out with guys in the Purdue program at the River City Wrestling Program, I knew Purdue was where I wanted to continue my wrestling career," Atwood said. Wrestling has been a big part of Atwood's life for about as long as he can remember. He first picked up the sport at age 5 and competed in his first tournament two years later. In that first year, he won a state title. "I fell in love immediately," Atwood said. "Everything else was secondary after that." Purdue coaches were well aware of Atwood and his talents from that youth club experience, years before he would commit to the Boilers' scholarship offer. But he really showed up on the staff's radar with three top-five finishes at the IHSAA State Championships during his high school career, including a second-place finish his senior year. His loss in the championship match was the only blemish in a 48-1 season. It was more than enough to attract the attention of Coach Scott Hinkel. "We knew he was a fit for our program," Hinkel said. "He had come to our youth club — and that was a huge plus. He had worked out with our other guys; he knew what our mentality was from being around our guys." Atwood, a junior, has flourished in his first two years in West Lafayette. After redshirting in 2010-11, he has compiled back-to-back 20-victory seasons and a pair of NCAA Championship appearances. During that first season, Atwood had the chance to practice with and Purdue Local product Braden Atwood always dreamed about the opportunity to wrestle for the Boilermakers. 114 IllustrateD volume 24, issue 2 f