Conestoga wrestler Dan Iredale is Main Line Boys Athlete of the Week

The senior 160-pounder and captain has a 20-0 record as of Jan. 18 and is 87-19 for his high school career. Last season, he finished first at both Districts and Sectionals. This winter, he has finished first at the St. Mary’s Kickoff Tournament, Governor Mifflin Holiday Tournament and Battle at the Bridge Tournament.

Q: What do you consider your best match so far this season, and what was working particularly well for you that day?

A: My best match of the season was in the finals of the Battle of the Bridge. I didn’t wrestle that well, but I consider it my best match because ,even though I didn’t wrestle well and lost focus during the match, I was able to pull away with a win.

Q: What do you consider your biggest strength and what you are working on most currently?

A: My biggest strength is my quickness and strength. Currently I am working on riding better, being able to hold my opponents down and being able to gather some back points.

Q: What has been your toughest match this season so far?

A: My toughest match this year was in the semifinals of the Governor Mifflin tournament against a guy from Garden Spot. Before the match even started I got called for a technical violation, which was that I didn’t have my shoelaces “secured”. I had them double knotted but they weren’t taped so they gave the guy a point. Before the match even started I was down a point so that made it hard because instead of wrestling my match I then had to wrestle to get back to an even score. Plus the guy was a good wrestler, he was the returning Governor Mifflin [Tournament] champion from last year. He knew what he was doing on the mat and he was strong. The match ended in double overtime. I won, but I just remember how exhausted and drained I was at the end of it. It was a tough match.

Q: Who has been your biggest wrestling mentor, and what is the biggest thing he taught you?

A: I have had many mentors, who have all helped to make me the wrestler I am right now but my biggest mentor is my dad, for sure. He hasn’t taught me too much of my technique, but he has taught me how to wrestle. That might not make too much sense. I guess the best way I can describe it is through an analogy. It is like I was given a hammer and a nail but I wasn’t quit sure how to use it. My dad is the one who came along and showed me how to use it. I have been given all of the tools I need through coaches, practice partners, and other opponents, but my dad is the one who showed me how to use the tools in my tool box. Without my dad I would not be the wrestler or the person I am right now.

Q: Tell us a little about your pre-match preparation the day of a match.

A: My pre-match preparation varies depending on whether it is a dual meet or a tournament or a home or away match. I typically just eat something healthy after weigh-ins, like a banana, and drink lots of water or Gatorade so I’m hydrated. Then I just get a good warmup about 20 minutes before my match. That is usually my pre-match preparation, nothing too fancy or special.

Q: What do you think you might want to major in at college? Is there a particular career path that interests you?

A: I think I either want to major in business or biology so I could go on to medical school. Right now I really don’t know what I want to be, but I think that is OK. I have options, so that is good.

Q: Do you participate in any other extracurricular activities at Conestoga? What sparked your interest in these activities?

A: I am in Ski Club and National Honor Society. I have skied since I was little and bombing down the mountain is just a blast. However, with wrestling I really haven’t gotten to do too much skiing over the past few years. I enjoy the National Honor Society because we give back by tutoring and setting up school run events.

Fun facts – Dan Iredale

Favorite book: The Cider House Rules.

Favorite author: John Irving.

Favorite TV show: It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia.

Favorite movie: Atonement.

Favorite athlete: Walter Payton.

Favorite team: Philadelphia Eagles.

Favorite place to visit: Vieques, Puerto Rico.

Favorite pre-meet meal: Fruit.

Favorite color: Blue.

Person I most admire: “My mother, because she works hard and is adventurous. She is my biggest fan and does everything she can for me, both on and off the mat.”

Birth date: Nov. 13, 1997 in Paoli.

Family members: Thomas Iredale (dad), Kim Stevens (mom), Rachel Iredale (sister).

(To be selected as Main Line Boys Athlete of the Week, a student-athlete must first be nominated by his coach.)