By: Ben Aalderink
March 6, 2024
Blood, sweat, and tears is what it takes for most athletes to be great. For some, this isn’t true. Grit is what it takes for Hamilton wrestler Bryce Morrison. The thought of working so hard for it all to be torn away in a split second, cracks most. Not once, but twice this has happened to Bryce. But the difference between this sophomore wrestler and his competition is that he doesn’t shy away from a challenge.
With a record of 58-11 and a state qualifier his freshman and sophomore year Bryce has been nothing short of exceptional. This is no surprise to Bryce who says,” My goals in wrestling are very big. I just have to keep those goals in mind and remember that I can always bounce back eventually and there is no injury that will hold me back forever.” And this is what kicks off Bryce’s unfortunate luck with injuries.
With a knee injury before the start of his freshman season and a hand injury part way through his sophomore season, Bryce’s road to the state championship hasn’t been easy either of these years. But it’s his mentality and drive to win that has got him there year in and year out. I asked Bryce how he consistently bounces back, injury after injury. He says,” When I come back I schedule extra practices with my club coach to make sure I can get back into things as quickly as possible. I also do more cardio to get myself back in shape as well as rehab exercises to best prevent new injuries.”
Both of these injuries have either delayed or interrupted his season. Bryce has had to stay strong mentally in order to bounce right back into competing not only for his teams’s results but also his individual results. In fact 20% of elite athletes stop playing their sport because of an injury according to the National Health Institute. This is not the case for Bryce! Bryce hopes to bounce back in a big way this year with a state championship after coming up just shy last year.