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Sowman ready for state wrestling tournamentBy Barbara Brown Senior Garett Sowman wasnít sure he would be wrestling when the beginning of the season rolled around, let alone be the only wrestler from Rush City High School to qualify for the state tournament. During a summer vacation to Florida last year, Sowman and his family had been climbing on a concrete overlook, trying to get a better view of the ocean and beach. Sowman fell off the second tier of the multi-level overlook and landed on his head on the concrete. His bed was stationed in a critical care unit adjacent to the operating room, ìjust in case my vitals crashed,î Sowman said. ìThey said a lot of people donít make it back from those kinds of injuries,î Sowman said. With hardly any effort, Sowman returned to his active lifestyle and found that his wrestling skills had not escaped him. ìThat was one of my top priorities,î Sowman said, remember some of his first thoughts after realizing what had happened. ìI thought about whether I would be wrestling.î Sowman will take his third trip to the state competition to face off with some tough wrestlers. He is scheduled to wrestle in the 130 pound weight class. ìIím on the high side of the bracket this year,î he said. ìI know thereís going to be some tough guys.î Sowman competed in the state tournament his sophomore and junior years as well. Both times he did not place, but created a pattern. He won his first round matches, lost the second rounds, won the third rounds and was taken out of competition by losing in the fourth rounds. Sowman wonít accept that fate for a third time, however. He is looking to have his name sewn onto the banner which hangs on the wall in the Tiger wrestlers practice area. The gold banner with bold, blue letters touts the names of Rush City wrestlers who placed in past state tournaments. The most recent addition to that list is the name of Sowmanís older brother, Daniel Sowman. ©ECM Post Review |