Lofthouse's long road winding down

IOWA CITY - Luke Lofthouse's wrestling career with the University of Iowa has lasted longer than most.

Put it in perspective. Lofthouse, a native of Avon, Utah, began his Hawkeye career as part of 2004-05 recruiting class, which also included former North Cedar heavyweight Matt Fields, who wound up his college wrestling career three years ago. Lofthouse's first stepped foot on the Iowa City campus the same year George W. Bush was beginning his second term as President and the Boston Red Sox were finally breaking the “Bambino's” longtime curse by winnignt he World Series.

Now, in the seventh season since he first competed for the Hawkeyes, Lofthouse will take the mat for the last time in front of the home fans at Carver-Hawkeye Arena when second-ranked Iowa hosts No. 10 Michigan on Sunday at 1 p.m. Lofthouse is one of five seniors, including Matt Ballweg, Aaron Janssen, Jake Kerr and Brooks Kopsa, who will be honored at the dual.

“It's been a long time,” Lofthouse said. “Iowa wrestling has treated me really well. There's a lot of good memories. A lot of good things happened here.”

Lofthouse, 25, participated in a Mormon mission after his freshman season, missing the 2005-06 and 2006-07 seasons. He accompanied a group to Zimbabwe for those two years. The goal was to spread the tenants of their religion, teaching the doctrine of the Gospel or displaying the principles through service.

“It was a variety,” Lofthouse said. “It went from talking to people in the stores, talking to people in the streets to knocking on people's doors to going and helping people move trash and plow their fields. I was there two years. You can do a lot in two years.”

A person can also learn a lot about themselves in two years, which was true for Lofthouse. Personal growth and accountability progress while he was abroad helping others.

“You mature on so many different levels you can't help to become a better person by the things you're doing and learning,” Lofthouse said. “It all wraps up in developing as a man.”

Developing as a wrestler was a little tougher. He didn't have the chance to wrestle and workouts were irregular. Lofthouse had to settle for using a steel bar with cement on the end for weights, jump rope, resistance bands and some running.

“Training was tricky because you were assigned a companion and you had to be with the companion all the time,” said Lofthouse, who at the mercy of his companion's willingness to work out. “It wasn't real consistent, but there were opportunities every once in awhile.”

Of course it presented a challenge when he return to the Hawkeye practice room. He had to adjust to the rigors of a wrestling season with two-hour practices from occasional 30-minute workouts.

“You're going to have to challenge yourself in that way,” Lofthouse said. “That first year-and-a-half to two years my body was sore from training. It was trying to build itself up that way it was before I left.”

Lofthouse was 8-6, redshirting that first season back. He was 4-2 overall as a sophomore before making a strong contribution last season when starter Chad Beatty was out with a broken foot. Lofthouse was 19-13, including a 5-3 mark in the Big Ten.

The progress has been constant as Lofthouse has become one of the leaders in the Hawkeyes' lineup. Lofthouse is ranked eighth with a 14-3 record, but his biggest improvement has been on display recently.

Lofthouse has shown flashes of a strong offense the last two seasons by routinely getting an opponent's legs, but has watched wins slip away as he was unable to score by finishing takedowns. Lofthouse has appeared to have found an answer, going on an offensive tear on his feet.

Lofthouse has earned 19 takedowns in his last three matches, including eight in an 18-6 major decision over Purdue's backup Friday. Lofthouse tallied four takedowns, whipping Indiana's then fifth-ranked Matt Powless, 10-5, in his last home meet.

“We just have to keep doing a good thing and keep doing what we're doing,” Iowa Coach Tom Brands said. “We just have to keep being tough.”

Each success builds off another. Lofthouse compared it to blood in the water for a shark and the frenzy to keep feeding until its complete.

“The biggest thing is that it gives you that boost of energy because what you've been working on has unveiled itself in your matches,” said Lofthouse, who has been helped by mentally slowing the match down through visualizing his moves. “That's where it really counts that's where it's important.”

Brands has seen Lofthouse advance emotionally and mentally, and even slightly compared him to former Hawkeye Brooks Simpson.

“Just there would be some funny things they would do,” Brands said. “They'd be in on a strong position and fall out of it.”

The majority of Lofthouse's workouts the last two seasons have been drilling to improve that aspect. He has worked with various coaches, including Brands and his brother, Terry, who is also an Iowa assistant. He has lost count how many takedowns he has worked to finish in practice.

“It depends on the day. I wouldn't even know where to start but it's a lot,” Lofthouse said. “They say you have to do something 10,000 times before it becomes routine. Start adding those up between practices ... I've got to be past 10,000.”

Lofthouse will have a tough test in 11th-ranked Anthony Biondo. That will have his full attention, but he will be able to reflect after his final competition as a Hawkeye at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

“It's one of those things you can't prepare for,” Lofthouse said. “You really don't focus on it, but when you're there and you experience it then you can look back.”

That means a long look back.