Carl Albert’s Brayden Mixay

By Ivy Knapp

Brayden Mixay is all about hard work, discipline, and dedication. Wrestling has been part of his life for most of his childhood, and it continues to shape who he is today as a student-athlete at Carl Albert. Brayden has been wrestling for 11 years and has been with Carl Albert since little league, giving him years of experience both on and off the mat.

Currently competing in the 138-pound weight class, Brayden chose wrestling because it stood out to him more than any other sport.                                                  

“I picked wrestling because I enjoyed it more than other sports,” he said.

That enjoyment has turned into a commitment to improving himself every season. One of his biggest strengths is his ability to wrestle on his feet and remain successful in uncomfortable situations.                                                                              

“My strongest skill is probably my skills on my feet and being able to wrestle in weird positions,” Brayden explained.

Even with his experience, Brayden is always looking for ways to get better. Rather than focusing on just one weakness, he is working to improve his wrestling overall. Before each match, he prepares himself by a steady routine.                                                                             

“I like to pray before my matches and just remind myself about the work I’ve put in,” he said.

One of the most challenging moments of his wrestling career came at the Claremore Duals, where he faced a tough team from Chicago. Matches like that push Brayden to stay motivated, even during intense practices.                                                                                    

“I just remind myself how much better it’ll make me,” he said. Discipline plays a huge role in his mindset, which he explains as staying in a good position and holding yourself accountable.

Balancing wrestling with school isn’t always easy, but Brayden makes it work by managing his time carefully. He tries to make time for everything during and after school. His favorite class is clay art because he enjoys being creative and making things. Academically, Brayden is working toward maintaining a 4.0 GPA this year.

Being a student-athlete has helped Brayden grow in many ways. He believes wrestling has taught him how to adapt to problems, both on the mat and in everyday life. After graduation, Brayden plans to wrestle in college and eventually pursue a career in firefighting.