| Ryan Cross | ||
| After a
disappointing finish to the 2002-2003 wrestling season, Ryan dedicated
himself to doing whatever it takes to make it to the big show. His
performance in 2003-2004 was nothing less than that. He was 29-0
with two dual meets left in the season before the Section
Tournament. And then, the unthinkable, a serious injury to his right
shoulder. The timing could not have been worse. Ryan had
persevered through injuries before. However, this time the clock was
ticking and his last chance at a State Tournament medal looked like it
might elude his grasp. The doctors said the injury would require 3 -
6 months of rehabilitation before it would be healed, and even then, it
might need surgery. The Section Tournament was in 22 days.
With a steely glint in his eye and a shrug of his shoulders, he set about
the business of doing whatever it takes to be ready. On the bike, in
the pool, in the wrestling room, Ryan focused his energies on being ready
for the Section Tournament. When the time came, he proved to
everyone what drive, determination, and mind-set can do. He
qualified for the Big Show, though his finals match at Sections was cut
short by injury default. The road blocks never seemed to end.
But, Ryan persevered once again and was cleared to wrestle at State.
The rumors were rampant and the anxiety high, but Ryan took control and
dominated in his opening two rounds at state quickly pinning each opponent
and spending less than a total of two minutes on the mat. He had
made it to the State Semifinals! His opponent in the Semi's proved
to be a solid competitor and Ryans limited strength in his injured arm
proved to be more than he could overcome through sheer mental toughness
and he lost. However, he wasn't ready to throw in the towel.
There was more wrestling to be done. In his first match on Saturday
morning, wrestleback semifinals, he dominated his opponent though the pain
was evident in his eyes and in his movements. No amount of advil
could mask the fact that his shoulder wasn't yet healed and three straight
days of wrestling were taking their toll. He won the match and
advanced to the 3rd place match, but it was evident that his shoulder was
inflamed and weak. Gritting his teeth, he prepared for the last
match of his high school career. His game face was on, the confident
wink, the quick smile. But, there was an edge to it. This
wasn't the match he felt he was destined for way back at the beginning of
the season. Someone else would be wrestling in that match.
Nevertheless, Ryan was not going to let an injury stand in the way of him
wrestling his final match. When the whistle blew, he knew he had to
try to end it quickly. He hooked up with his opponent, stepped in
for the throw, but the shoulder didn't respond like he needed it to and
this opponent wouldn't be turned by a less than perfect throw. Now,
behind and desperate, Ryan wrestled on sheer strength of will. His
shoulder screaming with pain, agony written on his face, he soldiered
on. Even managing to get a cradle locked up. Again, the
familiar crushing squeeze wasn't there, and a favorite move turned from an
asset to a liability. His strength of will not allowing himself to be pinned, he
bridged out of danger. But, he could no longer garner enough
strength to use his right arm to protect himself, much less attack his
opponent. The match was over. Not the ending that he sought,
but one which all of us can be proud of. He had placed 4th at the
State Tournament against all odds.
Ryan Cross is the epitomy of what it means to be an athlete. In every facet of that word. His leadership, humility, dedication, sacrifice, and excellence are examples to look up to. Ryan has written another chapter in the proud tradition of Faribault Wrestling .
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