Roland-Story's Logan Powers is making up for lost time on the wrestling mat
Logan Powers is almost unrecognizable from when he last wore a wrestling singlet.
The Roland-Story senior was a state qualifier during his sophomore year. He placed sixth in Class 2A at 138 pounds during the 2022 state tournament, finishing with a record of 43-8.
Powers then suffered a severe knee injury during the first football game in the fall of 2022. He tore his ACL and MCL again during surgery right before the 2023 state wrestling tournament.
The two tears cost him his entire junior season. Powers did not officially get back onto a mat for Iowa high school competition until the Saydel Invitational on Dec. 9.
“It’s been 500 some days since he’s wrestled a match," said Roland-Story coach Hesston Johnson Sr. "He’s excited to get back and our team was excited to have him back.”
When Powers returned, he was noticeably taller and 27 pounds heavier than when he last wrestled. He went from clean shaven to sporting a thin, blond mustache.
“It makes you faster, I’ve heard,” Powers joked about his facial hair. “I’m thinking about dying it black for this Saturday (at the Jim Kinyon Norsemen Invitational in Story City).”
More: Ames Tribune's preseason list of the top 15 area Iowa high school boys wrestlers for 2023-2024
The two knee injuries did not take away any of Powers' confidence when he returned.
“The first surgery it tore again, so they used my patella tendon," Powers said. "It’s not going to feel the same ever. It’s going to hurt a bit and it’s going be a little stiff. But it’s still explosive and I know it’s not going to tear again, so I’m just doing what I used to do.”
He will not be able to wrestle with the exact same style that he did before the injury.
“I used to be really flexible, but I had to take a lot of that away,” Powers said. “But I’ve got some rolls and I’ve got a lot of throws. I’ve just got a really deep bag.”
Teammate Hesston Johnson Jr. said Powers has adapted well.
“He super funky,” said Hesston Jr. “He gets in weird positions and he’s comfortable there. You get in a weird position; he feels good there and then (suddenly) you’re on your back.”
Hesston Jr. placed fourth at 170 in 2A last season with a 21-6 record. This year he is ranked No. 1 in 2A at 175.
Powers is one weight class below Hesston Jr. at 165. He won all four of his matches by fall at the Saydel Invitational to earn the No. 7 ranking at 165 in 2A by IAwrestle.com.
That ranking is not high enough, according to Hesston Jr.
“He’s going to upset some of these top kids,” Hesston Jr. said. “I think he’s No. 1.”
Powers spars with Hesston Jr. in practice. He said that has helped him overcome the rustiness from his long layoff.
“He really pushes me and keeps me moving, because obviously I was a little out of shape after that break,” Powers said. “He just doesn’t stop putting the pressure on me.”
More: Roland-Story sports round-up: Hesston Johnson places fourth at 170 in 2A at state wrestling meet
Powers scored two more falls during Thursday's double-dual against Nevada and Prairie City-Monroe at Nevada. He pinned PCM's Jeffrey McDanel in 50 seconds and Nevada's Simon Mills in 57 seconds to go to 6-0.
Johnson Sr. took over as Roland-Story's head coach this season. But he has been fully aware of Powers' talent for a long time and knows he will be back to full strength sooner rather than later.
“He’s wrestled thousands of matches,” coach Johnson said. “Obviously he’ll have a little rust, but he’s worked really hard to knock that off.”
If Powers can keep building off his strong start, good things lie ahead for him.
“This year I see myself atop the medal stand,” Powers said. “Finals — first or second. I’m training with the No. 1 kid at 175 every day, so I don’t think it’s a stretch.”
Especially if he decides to keep the mustache.
“I give him a hard time about that," coach Johnson said. “A little mustache power.”
This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: A severe knee injury could not slow Roland-Story wrestler Logan Powers
