Spotlight Q&A: Rossi Bruno
12/4/2014 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
• Wolverines Ready for Tough Field at Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invite
After finishing just a match shy of All-America honors at last season's NCAA Championships, junior Rossi Bruno entered the 2014-15 season with high goals and expectations. Listed ninth in the latest InterMat 133-pound rankings, Bruno is off to a 5-2 start after claiming second place the season-opening Michigan State Open and going 2-1 in first-semester duals.
A native of Brandon, Fla., Bruno is in his third year starting at 133 pounds and has improved in each of his collegiate seasons. He posted a 22-16 record last year. This weekend will mark his third appearance at the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitiational; he placed fifth at last season's tournament with a 5-2 mark.
With the Wolverines out in Las Vegas, Nev., preparing for the annual Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational, Bruno took some time prior to the team's pre-tournament workout to talk about his season so far, his goals for the weekend and Michigan's new lineup.
Q: Did your NCAA performance last year, coming up just shy of All-America honors, drive you over the summer?
A: It definitely kept me focused on what needed to be done -- on the mat and off the mat. This weekend is really the first big test that's comparable to the NCAA tournament. Obviously, I want to perform here and see what I need to continue to work on.
Q: You placed at this tournament last year. Were you pleased with how you wrestled?
A: I was definitely pleased placing at this tournament. It was a tough field. But I also know I could have done better. I ended up better a kid at nationals that I had lost to here. I think I'm in a better position this year, have a little better of a seed and more confidence coming in. I'm looking forward to seeing how it plays out.
Q: Outside of winning the tournament, what's your goal for this weekend? How do you want to wrestle?
A: Just what the coaches have been preaching all year, since I've been here really -- wrestle tough. I want to break everyone that I wrestle. That's a hard task, easier said than done, but that's my goal.
Q: Do you think you've been more aggressive and more offensive this year?
A: Yeah, I think the biggest thing that I've been working on -- on my own -- is finishing matches better. That's been a big emphasis for me. I want to stay on the offense for a full seven minutes and not fade at the end. I think that could go a long way to help me.
Q: How do you like this year's team? There are some new and different pieces, but it's pretty tough throughout. Have you enjoyed this lineup so far?
A: I got a new roommate this year, Davonte Mahomes, so that was a lot of fun. It's forced me out of shell a little bit, not having Eric [Grajales] around. But it's always fun with these guys. We have high expectations for this weekend and for this season. We want to place high out here and establish ourselves as one of the top teams.
Players Mentioned
