Soo Line: A Comeback Story: Grayson Bowman Finds Success on the Mat

By Soo Greiman

You could call him a “comeback kid” of sorts.  

At age 5, Grayson Bowman began wrestling and stayed with it for two years before stepping away. Fortunately, as a sixth grader, he decided to return to the mat. Over the past three years competing in AAU wrestling, that decision has turned into an educational — and spiritual — journey for the now 14-year-old Hudson eighth-grader.  

He is quick to credit his coach, Jake Hodges of Immortal Athletics Wrestling Club in Waterloo, as a key mentor, describing him as “an awesome coach.”  

When asked what motivates him, the son of Marcus and Maghan Bowman said, “It just makes me happy to step onto that mat to compete. It’s only you out there. No way to make excuses — it’s all up to you.”  

In 2024, 2025 and 2026, Grayson qualified for the Iowa Boys AAU Wrestling Tournament at the Casey’s Center (formerly Wells Fargo Arena) in Des Moines. Each year brought a different level of success.  

This year, he competed in the 145-pound weight class, though he admits maintaining that weight was a challenge since he now weighs closer to 160. Next year, he plans to compete at 157 pounds.  

He also shared a favorite pre-tournament routine.  

“Before every big tournament, my dad and I go to Texas Roadhouse after weigh-ins, and I get the biggest steak there,” he said with a smile.  

Faith also plays a central role in his approach.  

“At every big tournament, I try to wear clothing that represents my Lord and Savior,” he said. “I wrestle because of Him.”  

Early in the season, Grayson faced some tough losses — matches he felt he could have won. But instead of discouraging him, those moments became motivation.  “Improving my skills and wanting to beat those who previously beat me was a big  motivator,” he said.  

One opponent, who had beaten him by a single point, became a particular focus.  Determined to face him again, Grayson committed to cutting weight to 145 pounds for the AAU State Tournament.  

“I knew we would meet in the finals,” he said.  

They did — and this time, Grayson came out on top.  

Reflecting on the sport, Bowman believes wrestling is as much mental as it is physical.  Just a year ago, competing at 130 pounds, he said he struggled with confidence each time he stepped onto the mat. 

This season, that changed.  

“This year I got closer to the Lord, and that’s what carried me through,” he said. “Before every match, I repeated the same phrase in my mind: ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.’”  

He also credits his father, Marcus, for being a constant source of support.  “I always hear his voice when I’m wrestling, and it gives me confidence,” Grayson said.  That encouragement proved especially meaningful during one difficult moment this  

season when Grayson battled food poisoning while competing at the state tournament.  Despite feeling ill, he continued to wrestle — drawing strength from his father’s voice in the crowd.  

By the end of the tournament, the determined eighth-grader stood atop the podium as a state champion.  

Beyond wrestling, Grayson has also earned the rank of Eagle Scout and participates in  football, track and soccer. Still, he says none of those sports compare to the impact wrestling has had on his life.  

Asked if he had anything else to add, Grayson didn’t hesitate.  

“I’m thankful for the people who helped me on this journey,” he said. “They know who they are. I wouldn’t be anywhere without them. They’ve helped me through the tough losses and been there for the wins.”  

Looking ahead, he has a busy schedule, including duals in West Virginia later this month, the Iowa Freestyle Tournament on May 2, and the Northern Plains Regional Freestyle Tournament in Wisconsin the weekend of May 8 — which he expects will wrap up what he calls a “really great season.”