The first season of Ithaca College women’s wrestling is in full swing and first-year wrestler Delaney Bisaillon has been the first star to emerge from the program. Her 18-2 record through Jan. 26 only reveals a part of her dominance this season.

Of Bisaillon’s 18 wins, six have come in one minute or less. She has not lost since Dec. 6 and on the way earned a first place finish at the Alfred State Pioneer Open Jan. 11, where she went 3-0. 

Bisaillon and the Bombers have five meets remaining, and Bisaillon hopes to set a high standard for the new program by potentially qualifying for the NCAA Regional Tournament on Feb. 20.

Sports Editor Graham Goodman discussed Bisaillon’s seamless transition to collegiate wrestling with her.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity

Graham Goodman: What are your thoughts on your performance so far this season?

Delaney Bisaillon: I think I’ve done very well for the first year. Coming into the season, my dad told me ‘don’t have any expectations. Don’t put any pressure on you.’ I came in with that mentality, and it’s honestly worked for me so far, so I’m just gonna keep with that.

GG: There usually is a bit of an adjustment period when athletes get to the college level, but it seems like it hasn’t really been that way for you. You’ve picked up from right where you left off with your high school career, where you were just winning in your senior year.

DB: I think my club team really helped set me up for college with the intensity of it, and so I think coming into college I did have a base for that intensity, and how it was gonna go. 

GG: Can you tell me more about your club team and what club wrestling was like for you?

DB: I joined Hammer Wrestling Club, after my junior year. It’s a smaller club compared to others, but the coaches were very on it, it’s a very good environment, but it’s an intense environment. They always pushed you, and they always wanted the best for you.

GG: I want to dive into your game. What’s the kind of stuff you’re doing in the week or the few days building up to a match?

DB: It’s mental, physical preparation. Getting multiple workouts in a day, making sure my weight is good. I can’t cut out water too soon, so I eat a little bit of food. Mentally, I’m just trying to not psych myself out and just keep myself in a good spot. 

GG: Once you step onto that mat, is there anything going through your head at all? 

DB: I try to tell myself it’s either me or her that walks away winning. It’s just, ‘who wants it more?’ I try to keep that in my head. There’s no one else. At that point, you did what you’ve done. You’ve gone through the practices, you’ve put in the work. It’s just time to show it.

GG: Going through your game, what are the parts of your game that you are focusing on? Are you thinking about it at all? 

DB: I just kind of let loose, I just go for it. My own thing is, I need to stay in my stance more, so I’m trying to think about my feet, where my feet are. That’s a big thing I need to start really working on. 

GG: Has there been any changes in working with teammates or in your game from the high school to college level? 

DB:  I think the biggest difference for me was the weight cutting. Since I’ve been in college, I’ve been having to cut a lot more weight. I’ve been trying to work better on managing it. In high school, it was kind of just ‘whatever.’ My coaches were like ‘go for it whatever you wanna do.’ But in college, it’s more of the coaches, telling you. I told my dad, [who] wrestled in high school, and he goes, ‘yeah, that’s how I used to be back in my day.’