Athlete Profile: Isaac Banker
Despite not being able to wrestle this winter because of a torn ACL and meniscus, Bonduel High School senior Isaac Banker helped the team out in other aspects.
The three-time state qualifier served as a leader for the team, giving advice and input to any wrestlers that needed it. He showed up to as many practices as he could and was there on nights of matches and throughout the postseason.
In his first three state appearances, Banker wrestled at three different weight classes. He was planning on wrestling at the 220-pound weight class as a senior.
In his freshman year, Banker competed in the 170 weight class. At state, he posted a 1-2 record to finish off a 41-9 season.
Banker placed third at state in the 182 class as a sophomore, capping a 43-6 season.
In his junior season, Banker wrestled at 195 pounds, finishing fourth at state. He tallied a 44-7 record for the season.
Q: When did your interest in wrestling begin?
A: My interest in wrestling began when I was about four years old. My brother (Jacob) was always wrestling in tournaments, so I went along to those tournaments and that sparked my love for the sport.
Q: What is your favorite part about the wrestling season?
A: Personally, I just loved spending time with my teammates at tournaments, as well as meeting other wrestlers from different schools. Wrestling has helped me develop many relationships with people I would have otherwise never met.
Q: What has wrestling taught you over the years?
A: Wrestling has taught me many things over the years. First off, the sport has taught me that hard work pays off no matter what in one way or another. Another thing it has taught me is rankings do not mean anything. No matter who is ranked where, every match starts with a score of 0-0.
Q: You had to miss your entire senior season with an injury. Talk about how you still helped and worked with the team this winter.
A: I just tried to show up to as many practices as I could, and I always tried to make sure nobody on the team was giving less than 100%. Another way I found myself helping is when I saw a specific area somebody could improve on or try something new, I tried to give my input.
Q: Even having to miss the season, it hasn’t stopped you from being supportive of your teammates and continuing to serve as a leader. How have you kept a positive mindset through it all?
A: There are two main things I did to try and keep a positive mindset through it all. First of all, I tried focusing on the positives that would come from this injury. Another thing I did to try and keep a positive mindset is just think that even though I did get hurt I am blessed enough to have the opportunity to pursue sports at the collegiate level.
Q: Before a wrestling match, did you have any rituals you’d go through?
A: My main ritual before a match was to just pace back and forth while listening to country music to calm my mind. When I got on deck for my match, I would switch my music to pump up music and really get my blood flowing before the match.
Q: What’s your favorite memory of competing on the Bonduel wrestling team?
A: My favorite memory from high school wrestling would be competing my freshman year on the same team as my brother, who was a senior at the time. Not only did we both compete on the same team, but we both qualified for state and had the opportunity of wrestling in the same state tournament.
Q: You recently committed to North Central College to play football and wrestling. How excited does that make you to know that once you’re fully recovered, college sports are in your future?
A: It is very exciting to think about competing in not one collegiate sport, but two. All of my life I have loved both football and wrestling and I thought I would need to choose just one for college. North Central presented me with the opportunity to do both and I am beyond blessed for that.
Q: Favorite TV show, movie and musical artist?
A: TV show — “SportsCenter.” Movie — “The Greatest Showman.” Musical artist — Eric Church or Luke Combs.
Q: Name one thing about yourself that not many people know.
A: I have three older siblings, Jacob, Whitney and Brandon. Jacob is 21, Whitney is 23, and Brandon is 42.
Q: What are some things you hope to accomplish after graduating high school?
A: After high school I hope to graduate from North Central College with a major in exercise science. After graduating from college, I hope to achieve a doctorate in physical therapy so I can help others who have similar situations like I am going through right now with my injury. Another thing I hope to have in my future is coaching at some level in either football or wrestling.
AT A GLANCE
Athlete: Isaac Banker
Sport: Wrestling
Weight class: 220
School: Bonduel High School
Year: Senior