Iowa's Ryan gets shot at redemption

IOWA CITY — Logan Ryan clearly recalled the hardest phone call he ever had to make.

The University of Iowa freshman dreaded the move, but it was his best decision that came on the heels of the worst choice of his 19-year-old life.

Ryan took accountability for his actions last spring that resulted in an arrest for third-degree burglary. The incident also involved former teammates Seth Gross and Ross Lembeck.

'I knew I had to tell (Iowa Coach) Tom (Brands),' Ryan said about the following day. 'He'd obviously find out. He finds out everything.

'I just sat there and I was like 'Alright, I might as well do it.' I just know honesty is the key. I was completely 110-percent honest with Tom. I always have been. I just told him everything and was truthful with him. He respects that.'

All three were dismissed from the Hawkeyes program, but Ryan has earned his way back on the team this season. In an interesting turn of events, Ryan and Gross are expected to wrestle each other at 141 pounds when South Dakota State comes to Carver-Hawkeye Arena Friday night for a non-conference dual, beginning at 7 p.m.

Ryan pleaded guilty in September, receiving a two-year sentence with a deferred judgment, meaning if he stays out of trouble he avoids jail time, and two years of probation. He accepted the consequences of what he had done and was granted another shot.

'First of all, he owned the whole incident,' Brands said. 'That is No. 1. Our administration was comfortable with that. That's where it starts and that's where it ends. Very accountable.'

The severity of the situation didn't sink in immediately. Reality hit Ryan hard as the thought he would never be able to complete his dream of wrestling for the second-ranked Hawkeyes (6-0).

'I've always wanted to wrestle for Iowa, ever since I was a little guy,' Ryan said. 'I came here watching duals my whole life. It was really hard for me and my family. It was a real bad time. We got through it. I got a second chance, which is great.'

Ryan didn't provide details. He said he was at the 'wrong place at the wrong time' and was 'just being stupid' in the early morning hours of March 18. He refuses to blame anyone but himself.

Many wrestlers, especially at Iowa, talk about living the right lifestyle, which includes doing positive things off the mat to enhance performance on the mat. It isn't just a buzz term or catchphrase. The concept is clear to Ryan.

'After all that happened, it's opened my eyes to so much more,' Ryan said. 'I've changed in so many different ways, realizing I can't take this for granted anymore at all. I have to live up to being an Iowa wrestler and doing whatever I can every day to get better.'

Learning from the mistake is a necessity. Ryan is motivated to make amends every day.

'I just come in here, realizing that I could possibly not be here right now,' said Ryan, a two-time state champion and four-time state medalist for Bettendorf. 'I have to go out in every workout and just do whatever I can to be better.'

Brands said he's done a 'good job' making the most of the opportunity, moving into the 141-pound starting spot early as injuries have limited depth at that weight for Iowa. He is 6-4, dropping a 6-2 decision to Iowa State NCAA qualifier Dante Rodriguez on Sunday.

'I'm not one to spin it with Logan Ryan,' Brands said. 'While this guy here is a little bit not pleased with what we saw Sunday, there were things that were positive. There were things that were progress. For instance, getting to the legs when you're behind at the end, which against Maryland he didn't even get to the legs.'

Gross (6-7) was 12-4 last season as a red-shirt at Iowa. Brands said he hasn't given much thought to his return to Iowa City, except for him being in SDSU's probably lineup.

'We wrestled him earlier this year with one of our true freshmen and saw him in at a tournament in Ames, I believe,' Brands said about a 10-8 victory by Iowa's Vince Turk. 'We know what he's about. He knows what we're about. It's not even about that except for there's a little bit of history there.'

Ryan said he has not talked to Gross since last school year. They used to wrestle head-to-head in the wrestling room, getting into a couple of fights during practice. They split matches last season with Ryan winning by a point in an overtime tiebreaker and Gross winning the next by five. Ryan said the tense match should be interesting.

'He's a very, very, very funky wrestler,' Ryan said. 'I know what I need to do. I've wrestled him multiple times. I know what I've got to do. I just have to finish my shots, take the right shots, keep attacking, get on him and wear him down.'

The Jackrabbits (1-4) have two ranked wrestlers. Cody Pack (157) is rated seventh, and Nate Rotert is 14th at 197.

'We have to be on our game, like we are every week,' Brands said. 'Nothing changes, and that has to be the dialogue. That has to be the mind-set.'

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