After an unexpected loss in his junior year at the NHIAA State Wrestling Meet, Hollis Brookline High School wrestler Caden Bruseo ‘25 was predicted to come back even better for his senior year.
By maintaining a pristine record throughout the 2023-2024 season, Bruseo’s loss at the championship was something no one anticipated. “Caden and I went in the hall and had a really good heart-to-heart conversation about adversity, and as much as it hurt in the moment, [he’s been] able to use that to grow and fuel to add to the fire to keep moving on,” described Hollis Brookline Wrestling coach Brian Bumpus.
“Mentally, the hardest part was losing in the state finals last year. I had never lost in New Hampshire, so I was kind of riding high, and it was a humbling moment,” said Bruseo.
This experience, despite the difficulties, brought out a new sense of motivation for Bruseo. “Regardless of the outcome of that match, it was the perfect opportunity for him to grow and learn from it and become a better wrestler to become what he is right now,” said Bumpus. “As much as it stung, everything happens for a reason.”
Coming out of this loss, Bruseo’s shift in mindset allowed him to push himself more than before to make up for last year’s performance. “I don’t want that to happen again, so I’ve been working harder than ever to secure that win and state title,” said Bruseo.
Bruseo’s perseverance to improve as an athlete never goes unnoticed. “His work ethic far exceeds anybody,” said Bumpus. “His dedication to being the best is what sets him apart from everybody else.”
Additionally, Bruseo’s passion for the sport as a whole allows him to care for his team like no other. “When the team loses a dual or doesn’t achieve the team success that we set our sights on, that impacts him more than anybody,” said Bumpus.
With less than a month remaining in the 2024-2025 season, Bruseo has quickly been tallying both wins and pins to his record. At Hollis Brookline’s home meet on Jan. 26, Bruseo reached a new milestone, racking up 100 pins.
“A pin is like winning, but more effective because you put them on their back and end the match early,” explained Bruseo. “I knew I was going to have a good season, but 100 pins was not something I thought about. I wasn’t really keeping track.”
Having watched Bruseo since middle school, Bumpus already had a sense that he would be a prodigy on the high school team. “Caden is the type of kid—having wrestled for so long and coming from a wrestling family—I absolutely had high expectations for what he’d be able to accomplish once he got to the high school level,” said Bumpus.
Bruseo continues to break school records, achieving more than he ever imagined for himself. From 100 pins accomplished at home to 150 overall wins achieved at the Capitol City Classic on Feb. 1, Bruseo’s future in wrestling is skyrocketing.
You can continue to follow Bruseo’s journey next year when he represents the Roger Williams University Division 3 Wrestling Team.
