ORDER GAME PHOTOS

As far back as I can recall, I have always been associated with a wrestling program that has had siblings or in some circumstances, relatives that competed together. For instance, my younger brother and I wrestled together at Livermore High School in the early 1980s and during my senior year, we had five sets of brothers, as well as several cousins on our roster. Accordingly, our wrestling room was filled with immense energy, passion, and from day one generated an environment that was not only fueled by a high-level of competitiveness, but also produced a wrestling culture that influenced others to excel beyond their norm.

Up to now, I have written about two sets of brothers. They include, the Valdez Brothers, Carlos and Manuel of Bishop Kelly and the Rosales twins, Gabriel and Daniel of Mountain Home. Both sets of brothers have achieved a great deal to this point in addition to making an impact to their respective programs. What’s more, several of my other Hidden Gems’ articles have also featured wrestlers that either had a younger or older sibling(s) compete with them. Looking back in my past, I am able to recall many more programs other than my own that had siblings or relatives compete together and for a vast majority each performed exceptionally well on the mat and in life. In most cases, it is an amazing dynamic to have in a wrestling room!

Next in my Hidden Gems series is the Brunson twins, Bowen and Riley of the small town of Buhl, which is located in the rural landscape of South-Central Idaho. With a population of just under 5,000, Buhl is known as the “Trout Capital” of America, but to those that live life inside the wrestling circle, it is also known for producing exceptional wrestlers. Considering that the current student body population at Buhl High School is approximately 375, the talent being produced each year is noteworthy and commanding attention at the state and national levels.

The twins’ journey in the sport of wrestling began at the early age of four. Reflecting back to their earliest memories, Bowen and Riley had a lot of energy from the get-go, which in some cases ended in an altercation or two that their parents realized could be channeled in other ways. One of those ways was by introducing them to the sport of wrestling. Fortunately, from the moment the twins entered the circle, it was obvious that they each gravitated to the challenges of wrestling and moving forward their new setting proved positive and was going to serve them well.

The certainty of our existence in life is that over the entire length of our journey we will experience an array of obstacles, challenges, achievements, adversity, surprises, and much more that will more than likely have an effect on our well-being and growth. For Bowen and Riley, they have had their share of challenges, adversity, as well as “smiles and cries” while growing up. For instance, at an early age Bowen reached a point while competing at the Delchev Training Academy (DTA) in Wendell, Idaho, that he no longer wanted to wrestle with his brother. According to his mother, Amy, “Bowen quit wrestling during the 5th grade and it took almost a year, but Coach Ivan Delchev finally convinced Bowen to come back to wrestling under the condition he never had to practice with his brother Riley.” On the other hand, Riley experienced a series of injuries through the years (on and off the mat) that sidelined him for a significant period of time, which under some circumstances could have easily altered his ambitions to continue with wrestling or any other strenuous extracurricular activities. Despite these examples, the twins have always perservered and remain focused to proceed forward in pursuit of their goals in wrestling, academics, and in life.

Earlier this year, I wrote about the Rosales twins of Mountain Home, each 4A State Champions in 2023. I have posed this question to many in the Idaho wrestling circles. Other than the Rosales and Brunson twins, how many other sets of twins have won state titles in Idaho? I am aware of many siblings and cousins that have earned titles together or have won within years of each other, but not twins. In any case, having a family member to challenge, compete with, and root for is among the most powerful driving forces to reach success. Coincidently, the twins have an older cousin, Torin Brunson, who in 2012 won an individual title for Gooding High School. According to the twins, from the earliest age, they aspired to not only achieve, but go beyond their older cousin’s accomplishments. They have achieved that and much more!

As I had stated prior, the small town of Buhl is a tight knit community of approximately 5,000 residents where it is not uncommon for a majority to know each other. Fred Bartlett, a two-time state champion himself at Meridian High School in the 1990s has been the Head Coach at Buhl since 2013. On top of that, he has been actively involved in the community coaching for the Badger Wrestling Club and is also the Head Coach for the Idaho Girl’s National Team. Throughout, he has coached multiple state champions, placers, and All-Americans, including the Brunson twins from the beginning. According to Coach Bartlett, “The Brunson’s are great wrestlers with a competitive fire that is a coach’s dream! But I’m most proud of the teammates they are and their willingness to volunteer their time and energy for the greater good of our team and community. Almost always the first to raise their hand whether it’s serving our community or giving back to our youth program. They are definitely leaving our little wrestling community in Buhl better than they found it!”

Early on in the twins wrestling careers, they competed at a multitude of local, state, and national level age group competitions, earning a significant number of accolades in the process. It was apparent that Bowen and Riley’s dedication and commitment to the sport was paying in dividends as they each won district and state titles during their freshman year at Buhl High School. At this point, the twins were now in position to pursue a possible four state titles, a milestone reached by their teammate Kade Orr the same year. Moreover, Bowen and Riley became the second set of brothers to earn state titles at Buhl in the school’s history (Nate and Nick Nihill were the first to accomplish this feat in 1995 and 1998, respectively). 

Unfortunately, during the twins sophomore season, Riley was sidelined early on as he sustained a severe injury during the first week of practice, which spoiled his goal of pursuing a second of four possible state titles. This situation was tough on both twins, but Bowen responded well by having a strong season, winning his second district and state title all while Riley remained in his corner the entire year. Definitely a critical moment in time for the twins and a turning point in their wrestling careers. Moving forward, the twins never looked back and remained focused on their journey and challenges that came their way.   

The following season in 2022 – ‘23, the twins continued their winning ways by performing well in the regular season and continued to stay on track during the post season by earning additional titles at districts, but unfortunately the tide had turned the following week as both lost hard-fought matches in the state finals. Regrouping, adapting, and moving forward was their modus operandi (MO). In due course, Bowen responded well by earning his first prep level All-American honor by placing third at the USAW Folkstyle Nationals in Iowa while both represented Team Idaho at the Fargo Nationals in July, which for the first time in Idaho history, the Gem State won an overall team title at these championships.

The twins are not only exceptional wrestlers and multiple sport athletes, but also exceptional students who are very active in other extracurricular activities at Buhl High School and their community. For instance, both Bowen and Riley currently maintain solid grade point averages, in addition to earning the recognition of being on the Honor Roll several times all the while taking advanced mathematics and honors English courses. Moreover, Riley has been a member of his school’s Choir group for several years, whereas both twins have been involved in robotic competitions, as well as helping coach youth wrestlers in the area.

As of this writing, Bowen, who is currently recovering from a post season football injury and Riley remain focused on finishing their senior season at Buhl on top by earning another district and state title together with the intention of continuing their mat career at the collegiate level. From the first time the twins entered the wrestling circle, it was apparent that they were more than capable of dealing with adversity, challenges, and shortcomings head on. With all that being said, I am confident that Bowen and Riley will achieve anything they set their minds to pursue, regardless of any obstacles or tough challenges that come their way.

More recently, I had the opportunity to meet up with the twins at the Fargo National Team Championship/All-Americans celebration dinner in Nampa, as well as the Q&A interview I conducted with them this past week. Without a doubt, Bowen and Riley are exceptional student/athletes and leaders among their peers. Both are more than capable of reaching great heights in life. For all the many years that the twins participated in athletics, wrestling, and extracurricular activities together, Bowen and Riley are also involved in separate school group and activities from one another. Below is my Q&A interview in addition to their list of athletic and academic accolades. We discussed at great lengths wrestling, sports, academics, family, goals, hobbies, and their outlook in life. It was an honor to meet these fine young men and their family. I wish them the best moving forward. Enjoy!

Q&A INTERVIEW WITH BUHL’S BOWEN AND RILEY BRUNSON

HOW DID YOU FIRST GET INVOLVED IN THE SPORT OF WRESTLING?

BOWEN – I first got involved with wrestling when I was four years old. It was one of the many ways my mom and dad tried to stop me and my brother from fighting each other. One of the other reasons they put us into wrestling was because they still wanted us to be competitive and challenge each other, but take it out on other people’s kids instead of each other. I am so grateful they didn’t force us to stick with taekwondo. Additionally, I am also grateful that they never forced us into wrestling. It was more of a, “here, try this, if you don’t like it, we will try something else”. One of the many reasons they decided wrestling was because it was one of the first sports or activities you could do when you turn five. We started early though because the fighting was on a daily basis.

RILEY – I was four when I first started wrestling. My brother and I were really small when we were younger and our parents wanted us to be able to protect ourselves. Our cousin, Tori Brunson, was also wrestling in high school and he won a state championship when he was a sophomore and we were there for that. It was cool!

WHO HAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST INFLUENCE IN THE SPORT?

BOWEN – The most influential people to me have to be my coaches, Fred Bartlett, RC Sisson, Kelly Bartlett (aka, Old Bull), and Coach Delchev. Additionally, my brother and my cousin Torin Brunson have been big influences on me. I have always aspired to be better than Torin because he told me not to be him, to beat him, the day I watched him win state as a sophomore. My home town is also a big influence, such as my supporters, friends and community that have always been there for me. Special shout out to my best friends Jayden Henkleman and Michel Ziniti for always being at my side, and pushing me to be better.

The reason why all of my coaches have influenced me, motivated me, was because of one simple thing, they all believed in me…believed that I could be something amazing. And, they all pushed me to be the best version of myself, not the best on the mat, just the best version of myself. My brother is a big influence on me in this sport, I always have someone in my corner, as well as a competition to be better, there is always a goal to be chased and fought for when it comes to my brother.

RILEY – It is hard to choose my biggest influence in the sport because I have had so many people help me and push me to get better. However, I would have to say that my wrestling coach, Fred Bartlett, has been my biggest influence in wrestling. He has been coaching me since sixth grade. He has always seen more in me than I think I’ve ever seen in myself. I have always tried to get to where he sees me, even though I think that keeps getting higher.

HEADING INTO YOUR SENIOR SEASON, WHAT ARE YOUR SHORT- AND LONG-TERM GOALS AT BUHL HIGH SCHOOL?

BOWEN – I have several goals this year. Many of them are the same, but for the new year, or for a different person. My first and most important goal as of right now is to get back on the mat as soon as possible and in the best physical condition as possible. I tore my labrum during the 2^nd quarter of the play-in-game against McCall-Donnelly. The injury prevented me from playing my last high school football game and from returning to the mat. I have three short term goals, of priority in this order:

• Help my practice partner Michel Ziniti win state, he has had a rough go at high school the last couple years. Freshman year he had COVID and could not participate in the New Hampshire State tournament. Sophomore year he as well tore his labrum and needed immediate surgery, and junior year, he retore his labrum and needed another surgery. So, I will do everything I can to help him win state.
• Win state as a team, I have been wanting this goal since I was a freshman, I’ve always wanted to hang a banner in our gym so that everyone could see that Buhl is a wrestling community, not a basketball school.
• Win state as an individual, and compete with new wrestlers that will challenge me, whether I have to go to them or they come to me, I want to compete with the best, win or lose, but winning is preferred. My long-term goal is to find a college where I can continue my academic and athletic career. This is important to me because finding a place to call home is the biggest thing right now for me.

RILEY – My biggest goal for my senior season would just be to win every tournament and to help my team towards winning a team state championship. I started helping with little kids wrestling in 7th grade, then middle school in 9th grade in an effort to help build a team that could win a state championship and this is my last shot. My short-term goals are to make sure that I show up to every practice and get better every day.

HAVING HAD SOME GREAT SUCCESS AT THIS POINT IN YOUR CAREER, DESCRIBE YOUR TRAINING ROUTINE AND YOUR OUTLOOK IN THE YEARS AHEAD.

BOWEN – My training routine I feel is pretty vigorous. It’s definitely not for the weak hearted. I currently cannot wrestle, so my workouts are very limited and not that challenging, I do a light 4 mile run every morning while the team practices and coach them when I get back. A lot of my training, however, takes place in the wrestling room. The best ways to get better at something is to do it repetitively until it’s second nature. I also do a lot of shadow wrestling. This takes up a lot of my time in the room currently, envisioning your matches, and controlling it in your mind is just as big as it is with a live person. Besides my shoulder PT exercises though, there is not much else I can do. Right now, in the weight room I’m limited to leg press, leg curls, and leg extensions on repeat every day with the occasional add on of lunges, and sit ups for my core.

RILEY – My training routine I feel is consistent. During the off season I train with a lot of the wrestlers from my high school team. We take advantage of the Badger Den and train close to every day over the summer, excluding weekends. With the start of high school season and for the first three weeks we practice from 5 to 7AM, then we transition to 2 hours every day after school. During Christmas break we will do two-a days, building up to a 10-mile run we do as a team at the end of break. I also try to train with one of the head trainers at College of Southern Idaho (CSI), Travis Bunker, on Monday mornings when we don’t have school. It is just a little extra I do…I like it! He really challenges me and helps me work on quickness and speed.

DESCRIBE YOUR ACADEMIC AND WRESTLING EXPERIENCE AT BUHL HIGH SCHOOL.

BOWEN – My academic experience in Buhl has been pretty good. I have been in an honors English class for three years. I’ve been in advanced math for my grade level at my high school, and it’s exciting every day there’s something new to learn. All of my teachers are supportive, understanding, and are good at teaching in my opinion. They make education fun, yet challenging. I have taken four years of Spanish. I’m in advanced welding, which I really enjoy. My wrestling career at Buhl has been tough and I’m so grateful for it, as my coach always says, “wrestling doesn’t need you, you need wrestling.” I plan on competing after Christmas when I get all healed up.

RILEY – I’ve attended Buhl Schools since 4th grade and it has been one of the best things that has ever happened to me. I feel that I get to go to the best high school in the state. Academically, going to Buhl was much better than the school I started out at and I have been grateful to have some pretty amazing and outstanding teachers since transferring to Buhl in 4^th grade. My experience at Buhl has been amazing and I wouldn’t want to go to any other school in the state.

WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE ACADEMIC GOALS AT BUHL HIGH SCHOOL AND BEYOND?

BOWEN – I’m looking at becoming a physical therapist in the future and plan on continuing down that path of health science. I hope to wrestle in college wherever that might be, even if I have to walk on. When I’m older, I plan to come back to wrestling and coach or officiate, so I can give back to this sport that has done so much for me. I helped with little kids wrestling in 7th and 8th grade and with the middle school team the last couple years. I’ve been a counselor at Bullcatcher Camp the last two summers and I really loved doing that.

RILEY – I plan to graduate from Buhl High School this spring. I’m not sure yet where I will attend college. I’m interested in attending a college with a pathway into a post graduate physical therapy program.

DO YOU HAVE AMBITIONS OF COMPETING IN COLLEGE OR INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION?

BOWEN – Yes, I hope to compete in both while I am at college. I feel that it’s all about the experience. The only true loss is when you don’t learn anything from your mistakes. I hope to make the world team someday, I have always wanted to wear the USA logo across my chest, and travel.

RILEY – My ambitions for wrestling in college are huge. I would love to continue my wrestling experience in college and after that I guess we will see if wrestling internationally would be a possibility, if it is I would absolutely love to do that too. I think the opportunities provided by the armed services for continuing to compete while serving are also something I’m interested in.

IS THERE AN OLYMPIAN, COLLEGIATE LEVEL WRESTLER, COACH OR SOMEONE OUTSIDE OF THE SPORT OF WRESTLING THAT YOU WANT TO ASPIRE TO BE SOMEDAY?

BOWEN – I do not really aspire to be like anyone else, because I feel if I do what they did then I would have already failed. If you tie a record, it doesn’t make it yours. So, I aspire to be the best me I can be, to become the best version of myself that I can be. However, I do look up to people and work at becoming better than them at what they do.

RILEY – The biggest role model to me would have to be my wrestling coach, Fred Bartlett. He wrestled at Boise State when they won a regional championship. I’d like to one day coach so that I can give back to this sport that has given me much. I’d also like to give back to my community the way that Fred does.

WHAT LIFE LESSONS HAVE YOU LEARNED IN WRESTLING THAT APPLIES IN YOUR DAY-TO-DAY LIFE?

BOWEN – Wrestling has taught me a lot about life in many ways. Like wrestling, some days life will be very hard, and you will want to quit, and some days will be super easy, and you will get lazy. The key to success is consistency, on and off the mat. I truly believe that the hardest day to day thing I will ever have to do is wake up at 4AM and wrestle from 5AM to 7AM, but I would not trade it for the world. I would never complain about it, because I know that the good and the bad come hand in hand. Morning practices are hard, but it frees up the rest of your day, it builds character, no one else does it, it makes you stronger physically and mentally.

Life is going to knock you down every now and again, but you have to get back up, and keep fighting, same in a match. The only true loser at the end of the day, is the one that quits, gives up, doesn’t give his best. And it shows on the mat, and in life who puts in effort and who sits back and relaxes. I have lived through some really hard things; I know sticking to a routine and being consistent helps get me through. Really, every day we get to do these hard things we should be thankful for.

RILEY – The greatest lesson I have learned in wrestling that applies to everyday life is that everything that is worth it will be hard. Nothing that you want in life will be easy, and you have to be willing to work not just hard, but harder than everyone else around to achieve and receive everything you want in life.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE A YOUNG WRESTLER WANTING TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN THE SPORT OF WRESTLING OR IN LIFE?

BOWEN – I would tell a young wrestler the truth! Life is hard and so is wrestling, but at the end of the day, you can only control what you can control – YOUR ATTITUDE AND EFFORT! Nothing else matters. You will lose, you will win, but control what you can control and stay positive.

RILEY – I would tell them that the more they want to achieve the harder it is going to be, but the harder it is the better it feels when you get it. I would ask them how good they want to feel and how hard they are willing to work for it, because the work is always worth or equivalent to the reward. I would tell them that right when it gets the hardest and you want to quit the most and feel you are at your worst is when you are doing your best and working your hardest. That’s how you know you are going to get your work’s worth.

WHAT OTHER GOALS DO YOU HAVE IN LIFE?

BOWEN – My biggest life goal is to be happy with myself, it’s all strides of life, in sports, in academics, with my family, and raising my own family. I feel that the only opinion that someone should ever worry about is the one they put on themselves, I have high expectations of myself in life, and it will always be tough. I just want to be able to look myself in the mirror and know that I gave everything I had. So, my life goal is to be happy.

RILEY – My major goal is to get through college with a degree that will prepare me for a doctor of physical therapy program. I would like to become a physical therapist so I can help others the way that I have been helped through all my injuries and setbacks. The first time I had physical therapy, I hated it. I felt like the whole purpose was to torture kids. The second time I had an incredible experience with my physical therapy team.

DO YOU HAVE A SAYING, MOTTO OR PHILOSOPHY THAT YOU LIVE BY?

BOWEN – I have lots of sayings, and quotes and mottos that I listen to and follow. I have used a lot already in this essay, but the three that I follow above all else are as follows:

• Control what you can control – your attitude and effort.
• The only opinion that you should worry about is your own, everyone else is none of your business.
• Trust the process, Rome wasn’t built in a day, and a marathon isn’t won over night. I feel if you live by these three, not only will you be successful, but you will be happy with yourself as a person.

RILEY – My favorite saying is “how big would you dream, if you knew you couldn’t fail?” I live by this because if you go at life as if you can’t fail then you have no fear and you take all of the shots in life.

ONCE YOU ARE DONE COMPETING, DO YOU HAVE PLANS TO STAY INVOLVED WITH WRESTLING?

BOWEN – Yes, I plan on coming back to the sport of wrestling, whether that’s officiating or coaching, I plan on giving back to the sport. I feel that it would be a disservice to the sport and myself for all that wrestling has done for me, Coach Bartlett always says, “wrestling doesn’t need you, you need wrestling” and I completely agree with this statement. I would not be half the person I am today if I never wrestled.

RILEY – Yes, I would love to stay involved. I want to coach and help people the way that I have been helped.

OUTSIDE THE SPORT OF WRESTLING, WHAT OTHER HOBBIES, SPORTS, AND FAMILY FUNCTIONS DO YOU ENJOY MOST?

BOWEN – Outside of wrestling I enjoy the outdoors. I love hiking and fishing, and wildlife. My home off the mat however, will always be the football field. I love football with a passion and I am super upset that I will probably never play it again. You know what they say, all good things must come to an end. I love spending time with my family, it’s always a delight and a good time. My grandma throws the biggest Christmas Eve party and the whole family gets together, and it’s just warm smiles and jokes all around. I also love my mom, none of this is possible without her and her support. Love you mom.

RILEY – I have played and competed in so many sports and activities outside of wrestling. In high school I’ve played four sports football (4 yrs.), wrestling (4 yrs.), track (4 yrs.), baseball (Play reserve, if they need me). I’ve played in a varsity game every year in high school except freshman year because my parents refused to allow me because they felt I was too small. I was mad at them for a long time over that, but when I look back, I probably wasn’t ready. I’ve participated in school choir for seven years. I’ve been a part of the school robotics team that earned a trip to the FIRST World Championships in Houston the last two years. I don’t feel like I have a whole lot of family functions that I have, but I love spending time with my family in general.

ACADEMIC AND ATHLETIC PROFILES

Bowen and Riley Brunson

SCHOOL: Buhl High School (3A Division)

WRESTLING CLUB: Buhl Badger/Southern Idaho WC

GRADE: 12 (Class of 2024)

BOWEN’S PROJECTED WEIGHT

• 138/145 HS (141 College)

BOWEN’S ACADEMIC ACCOLADES

• GPA: 3.0
• Honors English (3 years)
• Advanced Mathematics track (dual college math classes)
• Honor Roll (multiple)

BOWEN’S EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

• Volunteer – Robotics competition in Buhl in the younger robotics division
• Youth wrestling coach

BOWEN’S WRESTLING ACCOLADES

• USAW Folkstyle Nationals – 3^rd Place (ALL-AMERICAN), ’23
• Idaho 3A State Championships – 2^nd Place, ‘23
• IHSAA 3A District IV Champion, ’21, ’22, ’23
• 2x Idaho 3A State Champion, ’21, ’22
• Idaho 16U Freestyle State – 3rd Place, ‘20
• Idaho 16U Greco State – 3rd Place, ’20
• Idaho Junior Freestyle State – 2nd Place, ‘20
• Idaho Junior Greco State – 2nd Place, ‘20
• Utah 16U Freestyle State – 2nd Place, ‘20

RILEY’S PROJECTED WEIGHT

• 145/152

RILEY’S ACADEMIC ACCOLADES

• GPA: 3.3
• Honors English
• Advanced Mathematics track (dual college math classes)
• Honor Roll (multiple)

RILEY’S EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

• Choir (7 years)
• ROBOTICS – Won Engineering Inspiration Award at Idaho Regional ’22, ‘23
• Qualified to first World Robotics Championships in Houston
• Volunteer – Robotics competition in Buhl in the younger robotics division/Summer camps
• Youth wrestling coach

RILEY’S WRESTLING ACCOLADES

• Idaho 3A State Championships – 2nd Place, ‘23
• Idaho Freestyle State Championships – 2nd Place, ‘21
• Idaho Greco-Roman State Championships – 4th Place, ’21
• Idaho 3A State Champion, ‘21
• 2x IHSAA 3A District IV Champion, ’21, ’23
• Idaho 16U Freestyle State Championships – 4th Place, ‘20
• Idaho 16U Greco-Roman State Championships – 4th Place, ‘20
• Idaho Junior Freestyle State Championships – 3rd Place, ‘20
• Utah 16U Freestyle State Champion, ‘20
• Utah 16U Greco-Roman State Championships – 2nd Place, ‘20
• USAW 14U National Championships Folkstyle – True 2^nd Place, ‘19
• USAW 14U National Championships Freestyle – 7th Place, ‘19
• USAW 14U National Championships Greco – 6th Place, ‘19
• Reno World Championships – 5th place, ‘19
• Super 32 Middle School Championships – 5th Place, ‘19