He ‘never thought’ he’d wrestle at state after injury, but Iowa City High’s Cale Seaton is in the 3A quarterfinals

DES MOINES — Every bout’s a blessing. Each second on the mat’s sublime.

That’s because Iowa City High’s Cale Seaton is able to compete in the Class 3A Iowa high school boys’ state wrestling tournament — a proposition that appeared bleak about a month ago.

“Never,” said Seaton, the No. 1 seed at 126 pounds. “Never thought it would happen.”

Why?

A junior, Seaton suffered a knee injury on Jan. 21 during the Little Hawks’ Clyde Bean Duals. Three days later, he met with a doctor who shared good and bad news. Yes, the injury was severe. But no, it wasn’t likely to get any worse if he worked to get back on the mat in time for districts.

So that’s precisely what Seaton did. He then pinned his way to the district finals, but for precautionary reasons forfeited that bout, as well as the second-place match. He’d already accomplished his mission by placing in the top three to advance to state.

“Every day was pointed toward getting back on the mat,” Seaton said. “Nutrition wise, exercise — everything was built around getting back, getting qualified for state and now we’re here. Ready for state.

“Feels good. Feels great. There are a lot of people around me to thank for that.”

Seaton wrestles ninth-seeded Jashua Anglo of Johnson in Thursday night’s quarterfinal round. He’s placed third at state twice, at 120 as a sophomore and at 113 as a freshman.

He won by major decision on Wednesday, pushing back pain in hopes of reaching new heights on the podium on Saturday.

“He’s changed a couple things but he doesn’t need to,” Iowa City High head coach Cory Connell said. “It’s more precautionary. He knows he can do anything in any position. I think he has that confidence.”

Seaton also has a perpetually positive outlook, Connell noted, so when jarring adversity hit, he didn’t say, ‘Why me?’ Instead, he said, ‘What now?’ — and however this state meet ends up for him, in a sense, he’s already won.

“It’s awesome to have the opportunity to even compete at this,” Seaton said. “We take it for granted sometimes that it’s another tournament but it’s not. Being able to compete and be on the mat is just huge. It sucks when you can’t compete.”

It’s obviously great when you can, especially when few deemed it possible less than four weeks ago.

“He has been the most positive person out of everyone,” Connell said. “That’s been the most impressive thing, I think, out of everything.”

Another New London Lopez makes history

No one’s won more Iowa high school wrestling matches than New London senior Dominic Lopez.

The No. 2 seed at 160 pounds won his Thursday quarterfinal by major decision to notch his state-record 220th victory — and with two more, he’ll attain an elusive state title.

“It feels good,” said Lopez, whose brother, Marcel, became the 31st wrestler to win four state crowns at last year’s state meet. “We’re not finished yet, though.

“I know it’s a good accomplishment and a cool milestone and all, but it’s short of the ultimate goal. We’re going to go back to the hotel and work on whatever I need to fix and sharpen up. Get ready for the next couple days.”

The Gazette’s K.J. Pilcher contributed to this report.