Indiana University Athletics
‘The Full Package’ – Lowery Off to Fast Wrestling Start
11/18/2024 3:00:00 PM | Wrestling
By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Bryce Lowery watches from the edge of the mat in the Indiana wrestling room, his booted right foot protecting an injured ankle that leaves him as unwanted spectator rather than active practice participant.
It is a temporary setback for the redshirt freshman. He has opened the season 2-0, including a 10-3 win over then No. 20-ranked Legend Lamar of Cal Poly. It was Lowery's first victory over a ranked college wrestler and was part of the Hoosiers' 3-0 start.
It won't be his last. Coach Angel Escobedo sees Lowery's potential.
"It wouldn't surprise me this year if he's on the podium," Escobedo says in reference to Lowery earning All-America status at next March's NCAA Championships. "He has that skill set. He can be a national champion here. He has all the intangibles. He just has to put in the work, and he does."
As practice continues, Lowery limps into a Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall corridor. Tattoos are visible on this arm and thigh, symbols rich in personal meaning. One is of a snake shedding its skin to represent continual evolution. The other is a rising sun to emphasize new opportunities.
"The snake is getting new skin," Lowery says. "It means keep building, get rid of the bad stuff, keep the good stuff, keep moving forward. The other is the sun will rise no matter what. You have to keep moving forward. I got both last summer. They mean a lot to me. They're constant reminders that I can do this."
Lowery wrestles because he embraces the individual competition, because he enjoys the physicality and fitness required to go seven minutes, and perhaps more, against some of the nation's best.
"It's an individual sport," he says. "I'm a black-and-white person. I don't like gray areas or, if something goes wrong, you blame it on a teammate. I want to win because of me, lose because of me. This sport shows who you are in hard situations. After a win, I don't think I've had a better feeling than that."
This is Lowery's college debut season after redshirting last year because of injury. He has scored 10 points in both of his matches while limiting opponents to four and three points. Escobedo praises Lowery's ability to stay balanced and in position.
"He's disciplined. He's explosive. He can get to guys' legs quick. He can finish fast. He's hard to get scored on. He has the full package. He hasn't given up a lot of points, but he can score a lot of points. That's a great combination. He just has to continue getting better."
Credit a wresting foundation forged in part from family battles. Older brothers Blaze and Brayden, also standout wrestlers, provided off-the-matt competition. Blaze wrestled four years at the University of Indianapolis after a successful high school career. Brayden also excelled in high school and now wrestles for the University of Indianapolis.
Bryce says they all got serious when Brayden beat Blaze in an impromptu battle on a bed that ignited brotherly rivalry.
"Blaze started wrestling after that," Bryce says, "and I couldn't be the only one not wrestling."
The brothers battled for years, but Bryce says, "Now that I'm bigger than both of them, it's cooled down a bit."
Escobedo says he first saw Lowery's potential during a summer practice when the NCAA allows high school wrestlers to work out with college athletes. Lowery, entering his senior season at Indianapolis Roncalli High School, was impressive.
"He was going toe to toe with them," Escobedo says. "I was like, this kid has some ability."
That was confirmed when Lowery went 44-0 to win the state 152-pound championship as a senior, and then excelled at a prestigious national tournament.
"He had five ranked guys in his weight class and beat four of them in a row," Escobedo says. "These were some of the best recruits in the country. It was like winning a national title where you have to beat guys like that every round. He showcased he was able to do that. That's when I really knew he was special and could compete at this level."
Lowery was a four-time high school state place-winner despite a growth spurt that saw him go from a 106-pound freshman to a 126-pound sophomore to a 138-pound junior to a 157-pound senior.
Along the way he learned the benefits of correctly cutting weight.
"I was more focused on making weight than getting better in wrestling. Learning the right way helped me enjoy the sport more. When I do that, I'm more relaxed and confident. That's when I make the most gains."
Lowery says he became a Hoosier because of the campus's proximity to home and family, IU's resources and rising program, and Escobedo and his staff.
"I got along well with the coaches. I knew they saw something in me that a lot of coaches didn't. I believe in their belief in me. Going out there knowing that your coaches believe in you helps me wrestle harder."
Self-belief is crucial. Lowery says while he can "fix everything on the mat," his confidence sometimes wavers. That's where Escobedo, a former IU national champion, along with a sports psychologist, have helped.
"It's about being able to believe in myself. I've made big gains in that by working with Angel and a sports psychologist. Once I believe I can be the guy, an All-American, national-champ kind of guy, I will be that guy."
Escobedo is convinced Lowery will be that guy. He refers to meeting with Lowery after those first two matches. Lowery initiated the meeting.
"He had a notebook where he wrote down the things he did well, the things he needs to work on and how he will work on them," Escobedo says. "That's the type of kid he is. For me, he will be a national champ."
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Bryce Lowery watches from the edge of the mat in the Indiana wrestling room, his booted right foot protecting an injured ankle that leaves him as unwanted spectator rather than active practice participant.
It is a temporary setback for the redshirt freshman. He has opened the season 2-0, including a 10-3 win over then No. 20-ranked Legend Lamar of Cal Poly. It was Lowery's first victory over a ranked college wrestler and was part of the Hoosiers' 3-0 start.
It won't be his last. Coach Angel Escobedo sees Lowery's potential.
"It wouldn't surprise me this year if he's on the podium," Escobedo says in reference to Lowery earning All-America status at next March's NCAA Championships. "He has that skill set. He can be a national champion here. He has all the intangibles. He just has to put in the work, and he does."
As practice continues, Lowery limps into a Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall corridor. Tattoos are visible on this arm and thigh, symbols rich in personal meaning. One is of a snake shedding its skin to represent continual evolution. The other is a rising sun to emphasize new opportunities.
"The snake is getting new skin," Lowery says. "It means keep building, get rid of the bad stuff, keep the good stuff, keep moving forward. The other is the sun will rise no matter what. You have to keep moving forward. I got both last summer. They mean a lot to me. They're constant reminders that I can do this."
Lowery wrestles because he embraces the individual competition, because he enjoys the physicality and fitness required to go seven minutes, and perhaps more, against some of the nation's best.
"It's an individual sport," he says. "I'm a black-and-white person. I don't like gray areas or, if something goes wrong, you blame it on a teammate. I want to win because of me, lose because of me. This sport shows who you are in hard situations. After a win, I don't think I've had a better feeling than that."
This is Lowery's college debut season after redshirting last year because of injury. He has scored 10 points in both of his matches while limiting opponents to four and three points. Escobedo praises Lowery's ability to stay balanced and in position.
"He's disciplined. He's explosive. He can get to guys' legs quick. He can finish fast. He's hard to get scored on. He has the full package. He hasn't given up a lot of points, but he can score a lot of points. That's a great combination. He just has to continue getting better."
Credit a wresting foundation forged in part from family battles. Older brothers Blaze and Brayden, also standout wrestlers, provided off-the-matt competition. Blaze wrestled four years at the University of Indianapolis after a successful high school career. Brayden also excelled in high school and now wrestles for the University of Indianapolis.
Bryce says they all got serious when Brayden beat Blaze in an impromptu battle on a bed that ignited brotherly rivalry.
"Blaze started wrestling after that," Bryce says, "and I couldn't be the only one not wrestling."
The brothers battled for years, but Bryce says, "Now that I'm bigger than both of them, it's cooled down a bit."
Escobedo says he first saw Lowery's potential during a summer practice when the NCAA allows high school wrestlers to work out with college athletes. Lowery, entering his senior season at Indianapolis Roncalli High School, was impressive.
"He was going toe to toe with them," Escobedo says. "I was like, this kid has some ability."
That was confirmed when Lowery went 44-0 to win the state 152-pound championship as a senior, and then excelled at a prestigious national tournament.
"He had five ranked guys in his weight class and beat four of them in a row," Escobedo says. "These were some of the best recruits in the country. It was like winning a national title where you have to beat guys like that every round. He showcased he was able to do that. That's when I really knew he was special and could compete at this level."
Lowery was a four-time high school state place-winner despite a growth spurt that saw him go from a 106-pound freshman to a 126-pound sophomore to a 138-pound junior to a 157-pound senior.
Along the way he learned the benefits of correctly cutting weight.
"I was more focused on making weight than getting better in wrestling. Learning the right way helped me enjoy the sport more. When I do that, I'm more relaxed and confident. That's when I make the most gains."
Lowery says he became a Hoosier because of the campus's proximity to home and family, IU's resources and rising program, and Escobedo and his staff.
"I got along well with the coaches. I knew they saw something in me that a lot of coaches didn't. I believe in their belief in me. Going out there knowing that your coaches believe in you helps me wrestle harder."
Self-belief is crucial. Lowery says while he can "fix everything on the mat," his confidence sometimes wavers. That's where Escobedo, a former IU national champion, along with a sports psychologist, have helped.
"It's about being able to believe in myself. I've made big gains in that by working with Angel and a sports psychologist. Once I believe I can be the guy, an All-American, national-champ kind of guy, I will be that guy."
Escobedo is convinced Lowery will be that guy. He refers to meeting with Lowery after those first two matches. Lowery initiated the meeting.
"He had a notebook where he wrote down the things he did well, the things he needs to work on and how he will work on them," Escobedo says. "That's the type of kid he is. For me, he will be a national champ."
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