Only two years ago, Roman Bravo-Young was wrestling in the sweltering heat of the Arizona sun, far from the chilling winters of State College.
Now with an eighth-place finish at the NCAA National Championships under his belt, the 133-pounder will venture back to his roots to compete against No. 6 Arizona State (4-0) at 9 p.m. tonight in a non-conference battle of top 10 teams.
"I just wanted to get away and make something new for myself," Bravo-Young said. "I feel like I've really had to adapt to new people and mature more out here, so I just thought the move was best for me."
Despite growing up in a place known for its Sonoran Desert and year-round sunshine, Bravo-Young said moving from a rougher urban area of Tucson to a rural town in central Pennsylvania was a drastic change in lifestyle. The sophomore's teammates have served as a second family throughout his two years in State College.
"It's just a different environment. Back home where I'm from, it's easy to get caught up in the bad things," Bravo-Young said. "But just being around everyone on the team, there's always positive vibes. I even started going to Bible study. Going to that stuff just gives you a different perspective, and I think it changed me for the better."
One thing that's stayed the same for the sophomore is being surrounded by high-class wrestlers for the majority of his life.
"I've always been around wrestling since I was young," Bravo-Young said. "My uncles were state champs at the high school I attended. My grandpa is a coach and my dad wrestled in Apple Valley, Minn. I've just always been around it. I guess I grew up in a wrestling family."
Though grappling seems to run in his blood, the distance has made it hard for his family to come watch his Rec Hall matches. The chance to return to Arizona will allow the 133-pounder to debut his collegiate skills to friends, family and fans on his own turf.
"It's just exciting for me to put on a show in front of them," Bravo-Young said. "It's going to be a hostile environment, but deep down everyone there has known me my whole life. And it's going to be awesome to score some points."
The Nittany Lions are facing seven ranked wrestlers– one of those being 133-pounder Josh Kramer, who is ranked No. 16 and will meet Bravo-Young in a much-anticipated match.
Bravo-Young is heading into this match coming off a first-place win at the Army West Point Black Knight Invite, as well as picking up a major decision against Navy's Casey Cobb at the Nov. 10 Rec Hall dual.
Moving along with the dual season, Bravo-Young said he hopes to "create action, get takedowns and push his riding times."
"People don't think I can ride or get up from bottom, but I just like being on my feet a lot," Bravo-Young said. "I'm just getting myself in the best shape for March. That's all that matters."
Although his focus is geared towards the long-awaited NCAA National Championships that are quickly approaching, the 133-pounder said he would rather focus on the smaller aspects of his craft that'll really matter in the end.
"Every match or tournament I go to, I'm going to have a plan of what I need to work on," Bravo-Young said. "I'm just going to take one match at a time and try to control the things I can control: my matches, my hands, my feet. And whatever happens, happens."
Aside from wrestling, Bravo-Young said he wants to focus on academics and becoming a better person through his Bible study and friendships. He is majoring in Recreation, Park and Tourism Management with the hope of one day running sports management at a park.
"Coming over here, it's only four to five years of my life. It was rough at first and I still get homesick, of course," Bravo-Young said. "But, I'm here for one reason and that's to get a degree. I'm around the best wrestling and the best coaches at one of the best schools in the country, so a little sacrifice doesn't hurt."
While the angst of making his first hometown debut may have seemed daunting at first, Bravo-Young said he is excited to spearhead the Nittany Lions as they grapple with their first ranked team of the season.
"At the end of the day, it's just me," Bravo-Young said. "I'm not wrestling for the justification of others."