With a 17-3 record through Wednesday, Pleski is the state's No. 2-ranked wrestler in Class 3A at 138 pounds.
Is wrestling a family thing? Yes. My older brother wrestles at St. John's [University]. And I have a younger brother, Troy, who's in sixth grade.
Do you think he's looking forward to the day he can beat you? [laughs] I don't think that's going to happen. But I see him watch me and take after my style.
What is your style? I'm a scrambler. I play a lot of defense, get points off bad shots and when the other guy gets out of position.
What do you like about wrestling? Being tough and knowing you're one of the better guys out there.
How much time spend in the wrestling room? About 18 to 20 hours a week. I'm always thinking about wrestling and staying after to work on a few moves.
How do you assess your season so far? All three of my losses have been really close. I think I've improved after every loss.
You beat Luke Rowh of Hastings, who was ranked ahead of you, last week. That was big. It was huge. I was super-pumped. I knew he was coming off a big tournament and I had sat out a week. I had nothing to lose since he was ranked ahead of me. I went in fighting and won it.
Goal for this season? To be a state champ. It's possible.
JIM PAULSEN
