Cascade’s Bryce Carroll claims first state wrestling medal, draws inspiration from dad battling cancer

DES MOINES — Bryce Carroll admitted he has a little added motivation when he steps on the wrestling mat.

The Cascade junior isn’t only competing for himself and to achieve his goals, but he also is driven to do his best for his dad, Bob, who was diagnosed with cancer last spring.

“He wouldn’t like me to say that,” Carroll said, “but it is absolutely for him.”

In his second state appearance, Carroll secured his first state medal, assuring a top-six finish with a 7-1 decision over Fort Dodge St. Edmond’s Matt Crimmins in the 144-pound quarterfinal of the Class 1A state tournament Friday at Casey’s Center.

“It means a lot, especially coming out here in front of my family and my friends,” Carroll said. “My family has been going through some stuff and this means a lot.”

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After the final second ticked off the clock, Carroll rose to his feet and flexed toward the Cascade crowd in the far corner of the arena. The emotion was nearly palpable. Carroll remembered being a fan to watch older wrestlers. Now, they were cheering him, including his dad, who was among those fans.,

“He absolutely was,” Carroll said. “It's just electric, seeing everyone gets so hyped for me. Growing up, we had kids like Aidan (and) Nolan Noonan to look up to and I was a part of those crowds looking down on them. To be the one actually wrestling and to support my family and my hometown is pretty awesome.”

Carroll has shown his grit and toughness, moving to 37-6 this season and improving on his 2-2 finish here a year ago. He has learned some important lessons from his dad, who has been a good example of strength and perseverance.

“Just never give up,” Carroll said. “No matter what situation you're in you always have a chance and don't let the odds define you. Just do what you gotta do and keep pushing.”

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Carroll is 37-6 and outscored his first two opponents, 13-1. He controlled Crimmins from the start. He scored a takedown in the first and sealed the win with four nearfall with 28 seconds remaining.

“Just sticking to my stuff,” Carroll said. “It’s stuff I've been doing all year and I practice hard this offseason, getting to my stuff and doing what I know how to do.”

“It means a lot, but job ain't finished yet,” Carroll said. “We still got more to do.”

3rd time’s a charm for Schwab

Don Bosco’s Hendrix Schwab had lost both of his previous matches to Jesup’s Ayden Bergman this season. Bergman had dominated their previous run-ins, pinning Schwab in the finals of OABCIG’s Herb Irgens Invitational on Jan. 24 and posting a 16-2 major decision in the State Duals championship earlier this month.

Schwab, the son of University of Northern Iowa Coach Doug Schwab and 2025 113-pound state champion, reversed the trend and exacted revenge in the 1A 120-pound quarterfinals Friday. Bergman scored a takedown in the first and led 3-0 after two. Schwab recorded a takedown just eight seconds into the final period and added a turn for three nearfall points with 37 seconds left in a 6-3 decision.

“I’ve been thinking about that match for a while,” the second-seeded sophomore said. “Dropped the first two to him. Props to him. He’s a hell of a competitor, but man, I just knew I had to do something big to go get that win.”

“Props to (his brother and Don Bosco 126-pounder) Hayden for giving me a good warm up and all these guys around me that give me the confidence that I might not even have in myself.”

Hayden received a medical forfeit in his quarterfinal at 126. He won the 120 title last season and was a finalist as a freshman.

Area medalists in Class 3A

The Gazette area will finish with 15 medalists in the 3A tournament. The top-eight finishers were determined Thursday night.

Iowa City West duo of Diego Robertty (113) and Alexander Pierce (126) moved into the semifinals and secured top-six finishes. Linn-Mar’s Barrett Mieras and Iowa City Liberty’s Landon Bell reached the 175 semifinals. Cedar Rapids Prairie 190-pounder Louden Bloxham and Western Dubuque’s Joe Hirsch (157) also advanced to the top six.

Linn-Mar leads the way with five medalists. The Lions’ Kylan Walsh (113), Tegan Ray at 138, Noah Howk-Erwin (165) and 190-pounder Philip Jacobs climbed into the top eight.

West placed four on the awards stand with Campbell Janis (165) and heavyweight Kaden Stitt.

Bell and Bloxham were joined on the podium by teammates. Liberty’s Conner McGonegle (106) and Prairie’s 120-pounder Chase Watkinson advanced into the top eight.

Cedar Rapids Kennedy duo of Thayer Hagstrom (106) and Aidyn Roman (138) and Iowa City High 132-pounder Zyaire Washpun will place eighth or better.

Comments: kj.pilcher@thegazette.com