CC-A’s Steve Ottoson, Washington’s Bryce Smeins face off in 'retirement game'

CEDAR RAPIDS — When the first game of a Class 3A district semifinal double-header tips off Monday night at Cedar Rapids Xavier, you'll have 74 combined years of experience and 761 total victories going head to head.

The winner keeps going, the loser goes home. For good.

Clear Creek-Amana's Steve Ottoson and Washington's Bryce Smeins will retire whenever their respective seasons end. In an odd and almost cruel twist, their teams play each other to begin the playoffs.

'Kind of bittersweet,' Ottoson said. 'I'm going to try and block all that out until the game is over.'

'I've been thinking about it some,' Smeins said. 'But, really, you're just thinking about winning the next game, and that's all.'

Ottoson has a career record of 376-454 in 40 seasons at CC-A, Amana and Marion. Smeins is 387-354 in 32 seasons at Washington, Clear Creek-Amana, Lost Nation and Steamboat Rock.

Their careers actually intertwined for a couple of years at Amana middle school way back in the day, where both were teachers. Ottoson said he considers Smeins a good friend, one of his best in the coaching profession.

'I'm going to miss the day-to-day interaction with your athleties,' Smeins said. 'And with the faculty. I can't imagine not going into the building next year, but it's going to happen.'

'I remember my first win,' Ottoson said. 'Here I was a 22-year-old kid right out of Coe College who knew everything. I was at Amana, and it was up at Independence St. John. I was so drained after the game.'

Smeins took five teams to the state tournament, including a runner-up finish by Clear Creek-Amana in 1992. Also Washington's athletics director, he has decided to take an early retirement buyout and isn't ruling out a return to the sideline, though he's intent on taking next season off.

Clear Creek-Amana is 11-10 this season, Washington 7-15. The winner likely gets Cedar Rapids Xavier in a district final Thursday night.

'I've called Steve, and we've talked about it,' Smeins said. 'I'm looking forward to the game, but I don't like coaching against my friends.'

'I've tried to stay away from (reminiscing),' Ottoson said. 'I remember all the coaches, all the players I've dealt with. I've been literally coaching decades, so there have been a lot of changes. I'm going to miss it, for sure, but I'm ready. I kind of knew going into this season this was going to be it. I told my wife, obviously, but I didn't tell anyone else. I'm trying not to think about this possibly being my last game.'

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