Xavier’s Chambers coaching familiar face

CEDAR RAPIDS - Even though Ryan Chambers has been coaching wrestling many years, this year is different.

Chambers' son, freshman Patrick Chambers, will be on Cedar Rapids Xavier's wrestling team.

'One thing I told Patrick in the very beginning is that I am his father first,” Coach Chambers said. 'There is no exception to that. I am his coach at practice and his dad at home.”

Although this is the first official year Patrick has been coached by his dad, he has always had his dad for support.

'He's always been my coach because he still coaches me even when he isn't my coach,” Patrick said.

Over the years, Coach Chambers and Patrick have bonded through the sport. They go to all of the Iowa wrestling meets and in the past have attended Xavier High School wrestling meets. They also went to the 2012 Olympic Trials and plan to go again this spring.

This past summer the Xavier High School wrestling team was able to go to the Malecek Team Camp in Wisconsin. It was through this camp that Coach Chambers and Patrick realized it may be more difficult this season.

'Since I'm his son, he has higher expectations and is harder on me than most,” Patrick said.

Through this experience, Coach Chambers will be able to watch and help his son succeed throughout his high school wrestling career.

'I see his love and desire to get better every day, and I appreciate how hard he works and how dedicated he is,” Coach Chambers said. 'He is able to see how much I care and how much I want him to be successful in anything he does.”