Carew awaits return to competition

IOWA CITY - Dylan Carew went from able-bodied college athlete to a physically limited civilian.

The University of Iowa sophomore suffered ligament injuries in both knees at the start of last season, needing operations on both and ending his season as a red-shirt freshman.

The days were tough to get through after having both knees surgically repaired at the same time, confining him to a wheelchair for the majority of six to seven days.

"For awhile, I felt like I was pretty old. I was a little unstable,' the 20-year-old Carew said during the team's media day last week. "It was humbling to say the least. You go from wrestling and going hard and then getting in that wheelchair. That sucked."

Carew resembles his old self again. He has returned to the mat for the top-ranked Hawkeyes, and will be a contender for the 149-pound spot. Carew, who did not participate in wrestle-offs, is expected to compete when Iowa opens the season Saturday at the Lindenwood Open in St. Louis, Mo.

Things are already off to a better start. Last year, Carew tore the anterior cruciate ligament in one knee before the season. He competed in the Iowa City Duals, winning his only two matches, but tearing the ACL in his other knee. He said he feels great now, working the whole year toward being healthy and ready to compete again.

"I've been waiting to get back to this point," Carew said. "It's coming fast."

While he was sidelined, he watched former Iowa City West teammates Derek St. John, also a red-shirt freshman last year, and Grant Gambrall earn all-America status. St. John was  fourth at 157, while Gambrall was third at 184. It didn't hurt as much as seeing the Hawkeyes with a hole in their lineup at 149, which is where Carew had planned to contribute.

"The part that stung the most was not being able to compete myself and we came up short as a team in a few spots and I feel like I could have helped us a lot last year, not only to achieve our team goals, but my personal goals," said Carew, who mentioned he had planned to wrestle in the Iowa State dual but had to settle for a seat in that wheelchair instead of on the bench. "I feel I could have done really, really well last year."

He tried to wrestle with one ACL injury, but having both knees severely injured was too much to overcome. Carew has always demonstrated toughness, dating back to his prep career as a two-time state champion for West. He praised his coaches and Iowa's training staff for pushing him "light years ahead" of where he was before the injuries, which he said comes with the territory.

"Being hurt is just a part of any sport," Carew said. "It's just how bad your injury is and how much you think about it. You can be hurt in wrestling, compete and win the nationals."

Iowa Coach Tom Brands said they are taking Carew's return one step at a time. Brands called him a "unique fellow" in comparison to some former Hawkeye greats, noting champions like Royce Alger and Mark Ironside were about the work  outside of competition as they were about taking the mat against an opponent.

"Carew is let's get on with the lights and the camera and the action," Brands said during the media day press conference. "So, he's a unique guy there. He's a fun guy to be around. We have to sometimes talk him into certain things, but once he gets pointed in the right direction in that room, even in the practice setting, he's all about doing the work as well."

Carew, who went 11-1 as a red-shirt, admits to favoring center stage over the preparation for it. Even he knows, you can't be successful without the effort in practice to make yourself the best competitor.

"I embrace the grind and try to be positive everyday of wrestling in the practice room and work hard, but you know everybody loves to compete and, I guess, in a sense, that's obviously my favorite thing," Carew said. "I'd rather go out and beat the crap out of someone from another Big Ten school than someone in our room."

He should get that opportunity again this weekend.