February 01, 2025
Boys Wrestling

High school wrestling: Dundee-Crown's Christian Brunner is Wrestler of the Year

Christian Brunner had come close before, finishing second and third at state in previous seasons, but as a senior, the Dundee-Crown wrestler was determined to leave high school as a state champion. He accomplished that goal in dominant fashion.

Brunner went 48-0, breaking his own school record for wins in a season, and won 36 of those matches by pin. At the state finals, he pinned his opponent in the second period to cap his career with his first title, becoming the third state champion in school history and the first since 2008.

Along the way Brunner also set the school record for career wins with 165 and career pins with 120. He was even honored with an official “Christian Brunner Day” on March 15 in Carpentersville and March 21 in East Dundee.

For his performance, Brunner is the Northwest Herald Wrestler of the Year, as voted on by the sports staff with input from local coaches.

Also receiving consideration was fellow undefeated senior state champion Travis Piotrowski of Prairie Ridge and other local state title winners Lenny Petersen of Crystal Lake Central and Colten Cashmore of Alden-Hebron.

Brunner, along with other winners, local standouts and more will be recognized at the Northwest Herald’s inaugural high school sports award show June 7 at the Woodstock Opera House.

Recently, the Purdue-bound senior answered a few questions about his love for wrestling, what he listens to before matches, how he would change the sport and more.

1. What was the first big meal you ate once you didn’t have to worry about weight anymore?

I think it was steak.

2. What was it this year that made the difference for you compared to others?

All the extra coaching and help. Just wrestling a lot more and having different coaches help me with different areas of the sport.

3. You’re a student of the sport. If you could go back in time and train with any wrestler ever, who would it be and why?

Dave Schultz. He was probably the best technician in America. I think being with him you’d learn the most. He was just a phenomenal wrestler. It would be an honor to wrestle with him.

4. What’s your favorite thing about your sport?

Just that it’s all on you. And that there’s so much to learn that you could never know everything about the sport.

5. What do you think was the best match you wrestled all year?

My state final match was good. But probably the ones that got me most prepared was wrestling (Harlem’s Jenner) Hecox both times. I think that was probably my toughest matches of the year.

6. They already gave you your own day. If you could have a sandwich named after you, what would be on it?

Buffalo chicken, bacon, ranch and then you know, onions, tomatoes, that kind of stuff.

7. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

The one that helped me the most was right before the state tournament my coach at Purdue told me, "Don’t make any tournament bigger than it is. It’s just another day. Just go out there and do your best."

8. If you could pick another sport to be good at, what would you pick?

Probably judo or jiu jitsu.

9. What’s the hardest part about cutting weight?

Probably giving up junk food.

10. Who on your team makes you laugh the most?

Probably my coach (Tim Hayes) honestly. He’s got some pretty good jokes.

11. Obviously, you’re very competitive in wrestling. Are you competitive away from the mat as well or more mellow?

No, I’m pretty competitive in almost anything.

12. Wrestlers always have headphones on before matches. What do you listen to?

Before matches I usually listen to country music. It just kind of relaxes me.

13. What’s your favorite movie or TV show?

My favorite TV show is “The Office,” but my favorite movie would be, I don’t know, maybe “Gladiator.”

14. Did you have butterflies at state before the finals?

Yeah, I did, and then I just kind of relaxed a little bit. Just got more focused, but yeah, I definitely did have butterflies.

15. If you could change one thing about wrestling what would it be?

I’d probably just make the singlets like shorts and compression shirts.