Shaha signs with Upper Iowa

By Editor | November 20, 2024 |

Brock Shaha signs to wrestle with Upper Iowa University.

Senior Brock Shaha will soon begin his final wrestling season for the Mount Ayr Raiders. Following graduation from Mount Ayr Community School, Shaha has committed to wrestle at Upper Iowa University in Fayette, roughly four hours northwest of Ringgold County.
“These are guys you hate to see leave the program, because they’ve been leaders since they got here, but you get excited for them to take that next step to reach that next level,” remarked head coach, Kevin Trullinger, “I’m pretty excited for him and what he has coming.”
Brock’s love of wrestling began when he was little, becoming the biggest fan of his older brother Bryce and many other Mount Ayr wrestlers. Youth tournaments led him to create his own goals and his extreme personal discipline helped him experience success at state and national competitions.
“I’m just really proud of him,” said his brother Bryce, who is helping coach the Mount Ayr wrestling team.
“I know that Upper Iowa is just another step on the ladder to becoming a national champion on down the road,” Bryce said, “I honestly believe that he can go there and flourish, so I’m just really happy for him.”
“I’ve known Brock since he was a little kid and watched him grow up,” stated Trullinger.
“Brock’s got a lot of positive growth in his training. Outside of the wrestling room, he’s a great student,” said Trullinger, “He’ll be a good team leader.”
Brock will continue to live out his dream of competing and growing as a wrestler at the next level while obtaining further education. According to his mother Judi, his decision to wrestle at Upper Iowa paves the way towards his ultimate dream of moving back to the area to work and coach wrestling.
“I want to come back and coach at Mount Ayr when I’m done, so I’m really excited just to keep raising my levels and keep getting exposed to bigger and better things,” said Brock.
Brock considered four other opportunities, visiting York, William Penn, Simpson and Buena Vista before making his final decision to sign with Upper Iowa University (UIU). As the only NCAA Division II athletics program in the state of Iowa, they are a member of the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC).
“I wanted to go to the best team there was,” remarked Brock, “They’re basically one of the best teams in D2. They’re top six every year.”
Brock plans to study ag business, and plans to return to the area once he graduates from Upper Iowa.
“Never did I think the boys would find a lifelong love of wrestling,” said Judi. “This sport will never make you financially rich like others can, but it has given him so much more and that is what makes my heart happy” said Judi.