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McCoy makes the most of his chance in the spotlight, wins gold at heavyweight

Bryer McCoy (top) shows Eagle Grove’s Jonathan Mendoza the lights during the semifinals on Saturday. McCoy got the fall in 2:42. DFJ photo/Troy Banning

Red-faced and dripping with sweat, Bryer McCoy took the time to shake every hand that was put in front of him as he beamed with pride inside the Perry High School gymnasium Saturday evening. Sweat or not, his mom wasn’t about to pass up the chance to give her lanky 6-foot-5 son a hug after his personal journey on the wrestling mat brought him into the spotlight.

It’s been a long time coming. And, quite honestly, it was moment that he may have doubted would ever occur.

McCoy’s story is one of perseverance and dedication in the shadows. You automatically have to cheer for a kid like that who has fought and scrapped for everything

he’s earned.

McCoy, a Webster City junior, might have shocked many of the fans in attendance at Saturday’s Perry Invitational by coming seemingly out of nowhere to win the title at heavyweight. He made it look easy though with three falls and a dominant 9-2 thumping of Saydel’s Hunter Jesse in the gold-medal round.

“It’s awesome,” McCoy said after his 4-0 day was complete.

Webster City junior heavyweight Bryer McCoy (back) works to turn Saydel’s Hunter Jesse during the gold medal bout at Saturday’s Perry Invite in Perry. DFJ photo/Troy Banning

It was his first varsity tournament crown, but it’s not like he’s had a lot of chances. McCoy’s biggest mistake — one that he had no control over — was being born in the same era as Cooper Lawson, Webster City’s 2016 Class 2A state runner-up at heavyweight and the No. 1-ranked individual in the state throughout the month of December.

But with the New Year came the news that Lawson, also a junior, would miss the rest of the season due to a shoulder injury that will require surgery later this month. He’ll have to wait until next season to chase that state title he expected to scoop up next month.

Enter McCoy.

One thing needs to be clear right now — McCoy is not your ordinary back-up. Put him on 90 percent of the wrestling teams around the state and he’s a lock for the lineup and a potential 100-match winner.

With the type of talent he has always possessed, it’s had to be frustrating at times not getting to showcase those skills on the main stage. Some grapplers not as mentally strong would have probably packed it in by now. But McCoy has simply worked and always kept himself ready for the moment that he got the call.

Bryer McCoy (top) looks to finish off Panorama's Dan Jensen during the quarterfinals on Saturday. DFJ photo/Troy Banning

“A lot of people probably don’t watch me on (the junior varsity team), but now I get to go to the big tournaments and hopefully show people how I can wrestle,” he said. “I respect Cooper a lot and I wish he was still wrestling, but now I’ve got the chance to go to state and do well, so I’ve just got to keep working for it.”

Losing Lawson was a tough blow for the Lynx to take, let’s not minimize that, but WCHS head coach Chad Hisler was quick to point out that he had confidence that McCoy could thrive at the back end of the lineup. He’s made his coach look smart by winning nine of 11 matches.

“Bryer has been wrestling for a long time, so it’s not like he’s some guy that hasn’t wrestled much and is a big football player that we got to come out,” Hisler said.

McCoy’s body type gives him an advantage, particularly when he gets in the top position. Jesse foolishly chose bottom when it was his choice, but he quickly learned his mistake when he was staring up at the lights. McCoy wrapped his long legs around Jesse’s torso and it was over.

McCoy’s first three foes didn’t get out of the second period — a clear sign that he wasn’t fooling around.

Like I said, he’s not about to squander this opportunity.

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