It was a victory, wrapped comfortably inside a defeat.
Ryan Bowman walked off the mats Thursday at the Pepsi Center with a first-round loss in the Class 2A state wrestling tournament, but the Cripple Creek senior was viewed as a hero to those who love perseverance.
During last year’s state tournament, Bowman was at Swedish Medical Center recovering from a stroke. On Valentine’s Day 2008, doctors found a hole in a heart valve, a hole that would ultimately make his heart — and mind — stronger.
“I’m pretty proud of myself,” Bowman said after losing 5-1 to Merino sophomore Kyle Kasper at 152 pounds. “Last year, I didn’t know where I was at this time. But Coach (Mike Akana) came in and visited me in the hospital, and it was great. And now, all the fans, coming to watch me, I’ve enjoyed that.
“I’m just happy to be alive.”
Bowman bled from his forehead in the first period and trailed 5-0 heading into the third. He produced his point with an escape in the final minute, and finished the season 23-14 in his second trip to the state tournament. As a sophomore in 2007 he lost in the first round at 140 pounds.
“We’ve had an interesting journey getting here, and had a big week last week (at regionals),” Akana said, “and I just wanted to see Ryan go out and compete like that, regardless of what happens.”
Kasper (31-9) wasn’t aware of Bowman’s medical history but was proud of his opponent when told of the near-fatal experience.
“This is my first year at state, and I’m loving it, and if I found out I couldn’t go back, I’d be heartbroken,” Kasper said. “He was very strong.”
Bowman said he regained control of his speech and bodily functions soon after his stroke, but his strength has taken awhile. He was playing baseball last April when he became focused on making it to the state wresting tournament.
“I might be a little stronger than before my stroke,” he said.
2A notebook. Five wrestlers improved on unblemished seasons, including Justin Iacovetto of Paonia (119 pounds) to 21-0 and Norwood teammates Hugh Hardman to 38-0 at 140 and Stryker Lane to 36-0 at 215.
Hardman, the two-time defending 140 state champion, produced six takedowns before pinning Crowley County’s T.J. Hernandez with four seconds left in the first period. Hernandez trailed 12-4 at the time of the fall, earning his points on four escapes — but only because Hardman wanted to work on takedowns.
“It felt good. I was just trying to get the rust out, and a little nerves,” Hardman said. “First match is probably the hardest, because you haven’t been here for a whole year. Experience is huge.”
Mike Chambers: 303-954-1357 or mchambers@denverpost.com
