Brothers at heart

IOWA CITY - Ethen and Luke Lofthouse have a unique relationship.

The University of Iowa wrestling duo are nephew and uncle through blood, but brothers at heart.

“I've lived with him my whole life,” Ethen Lofthouse said. “People say uncle and I automatically think brother. To me he's my brother.”

A view shared by the elder Lofthouse.

“We're very close,” Luke Lofthouse said. “He's like a little brother to me. We've lived together since I was seven years old.”

All those experiences over the last 18 years might pale in comparison to what they will share tonight when they take the mat for the sixth-ranked Hawkeyes, who host No. 14 Iowa State at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, beginning at 7.

They face two of Iowa State's top wrestlers. Ethen Lofthouse will face two-time All-American and Jon Reader, ranked third by InterMat, at 174. Luke Lofthouse, ranked No. 13, is expected to wrestle 12th-ranked Jerome Ward at 197.

“It's exciting to me and I'm exciting to get out there,” Ethen Lofthouse said. “It happens to be that I'm wrestling one of their better wrestlers and I have a chance to go out and prove myself in front of all the fans.”

He doesn't have to prove himself to his uncle. Luke Lofthouse has seen his progression since arriving in Iowa City. He said the younger Lofthouse has made strides in all three positions - top, bottom and neutral.

“He's gotten tough,” Luke Lofthouse said. “He's developed his skills.”

Of course, Luke has influenced Ethen, helping him get acclimated to college life and the rigors of training for Division I college wrestling. Sometimes it comes in leading by example, and others it's more direct instruction.

“He doesn't like to tell me what to do, but at the same time I'm watching him. I learn just how I watch everyone else in the room and learn from them,” Ethen Lofthouse said. “Sometimes he'll put his hands on me and teach me stuff.”

Hawkeyes Coach Tom Brands described their wrestling styles as different, but both are aggressive and attack.

“Luke is a plodder,” said Brands. “Ethen is an explosive, rocket-fuel type guy.

“Both are extremely physical. Very strong, but there are differences.”

Brands said Luke has had an impact on Ethen, but now Ethen is coming into his own as a Hawkeye wrestler. Of course, Brands, who wrestled and coaches with his twin brother, Terry, has experienced the benefit of relatives in the practice room.

“Ethen is growing up in the sport and becoming independent as well,” Brands said. “A lot of good comes from these relationships with brothers and kids with blood on the team.”

The pair battle occasionally in practice, but their competitive nature is more prevalent in other endeavors.

“It's always been competitive with everything,” Ethen Lofthouse said. “I don't want to say he takes losing better than I do, but usually when I lose there's a little bit more trash-talking and stuff going on.”

They shared stories of competition back home when they were younger, playing pick-up games of football and baseball or wrestling in the family's basement. Ethen, 19, said Luke, 25, often took advantage of being bigger and five years older, providing some hard hits while playing football.

“We used to play for hours,” Luke Lofthouse said. “It would always end up with one of us being really mad and leaving because we were losing or we felt we were cheated. Usually we weren't but we felt like it because of the way of the outcome.

“Even still we play board games and it gets real competitive.”

Their relationship has not weakened over the years or over the miles from where they grew up. Luke Lofthouse, 25, was married last year, and his wife, Allison, inherited an extra housemate. It serves as another example of their bond.

“Last year he lived with me and my wife after we just got married,” Luke Lofthouse said. “That in itself is enough to tell you how close we are. Not many newlywed people would allow that to happen.”

Now they enter one of college wrestling's top events with 4-0 records and a chance to help Iowa extend its six-match win streak against the Cyclones (4-0) and the school record 65-dual win streak, including 27 straight at CHA. This meet has produced some of wrestling's most memorable moments, and Brands said it's a chance for his wrestlers to go out and add to the meet's lore that includes well-known matches between Cyclones Coach Kevin Jackson and Royce Alger, Brooks Simpson's pin over Eric Voelker and Jim Zalesky's bout against Nate Carr.

“Seize the moment,” Brands said. “It's a big stage. It's a big event. Create a household name for yourself.”

“We've been getting ready. It's a circled event on the calendar and it's important and it's the next step.”

The Hawkeyes are 4-0, winning all 40 of individual matches in dual competition. Despite flexing their muscle at the start of the season, this will present the biggest challenge yet, testing the young Hawkeyes' toughness.

“Ideally, we do what we've been doing,” Brands said. “Realistically, we have to be ready for that adversity. We'll find out what we're made of.”