<p>The high school wrestling career of Brayden Littell lasted just 72 matches. The Center Grove senior figured he would be well into the hundreds by now.</p>
<p>Littell, the defending state champion at 120 pounds, has viewed more valleys than peaks. He has missed two seasons — including the current one — due to knee surgeries and part of another after transferring from another high school.</p>
<p>The question will always remain: How many state titles would a healthy Littell have won? And while there is no concrete answer, Littell, who pinned 30 of his opponents last season on his way to a 44-0 record, wonders it himself.</p>
<p>“I would say it’s the biggest what-if in Indiana wrestling right now,” Littell said. “I could have been a four-timer, which definitely falls under the what-if category. But it’s taught me to keep my head up because it’s still good to be around the team and showing that I care.”</p>[sc:text-divider text-divider-title="Story continues below gallery" ]Click here to purchase photos from this gallery
<p>When healthy, Littell is special.</p>
<p>He started high school at Perry Meridian, posting a 27-1 record at 113 pounds (including two wins over that year’s state champion, Alec Viduya of Roncalli) before transferring to Center Grove in the middle of the 2016-17 school year.</p>
<p>Littell had to wait for his Trojans debut, missing his sophomore campaign after undergoing MCL and ACL reconstruction on his right knee.</p>
<p>His much-anticipated junior season didn’t disappoint. Littell became Center Grove’s first state champion since Sean Mappes dominated the 170-pound class seven years earlier.</p>
<p>Littell planned to move up a weight class to 126 pounds this season, but he injured his left knee in the fall while practicing and had surgery on Nov. 12. The procedure included complete reconstruction of the ACL.</p>
<p>He still gave thought to competing this season, but in time, Littell opted for surgery so that he would be ready to wrestle in college. He’s committed to wrestle at Ohio University for longtime coach Joel Greenlee.</p>
<p>“My two cents was for Brayden to go ahead and get it fixed now because anything can happen,” Greenlee said. “Everyone has their adversity, and Brayden is having his now. It all depends on how he responds to it.”</p>
<p>Initially, it was extremely difficult, but Littell is in a better place now physically and emotionally.</p>
<p>“I cried a couple times,” said Littell, remembering when it became apparent he would sit out yet another season. “I think the worst part is just going to the tournaments. Practices are fun, but the meets aren’t. Most of the practices I come to and sit at the table and do homework.”</p>
<p>Littell is doing physical therapy and scheduled to be cleared to practice again in mid-March or possibly sooner.</p>
<p>In the meantime, he roots for his Trojan teammates and looks forward to the next phases of his wrestling career in the Mid-American Conference.</p>
<p>The Bobcats’ roster features two wrestlers Littell knows well in Cathedral graduates Jordan Slivka and Alex Mosconi. Mosconi, who wrestled for Indian Creek as a freshman and a sophomore, now competes in the 141-pound division.</p>
<p>Greenlee knows Littell’s potential and looks forward to adding him to his roster.</p>
<p>“Brayden is a mat rat kind of kid, and that’s what we want,” Greenlee said. “One, he’s tenacious. From the first whistle to the last whistle, he’s on you. And Brayden is exceptional on his feet. We would like him to contribute right away next season (at 125 pounds), and I think he’s capable of that.</p>
<p>Ten months ago, Littell occupied the highest perch on the state finals award stand, listening to the applause inside Bankers Life Fieldhouse as his name was announced.</p>
<p>“I was the tallest kid in my bracket for the first time ever,” Littell said. “It was definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I can’t wait to get back to practicing and getting better.”</p>
<p>After all, college wrestling has podiums, too.</p>
