IRONTON — Nate Sloan has faced 39 opponents on the wrestling mat this season, but he has faced some even tougher challenges on the sidelines.
The Ironton Fighting Tigers’ junior wrestler qualified for the Division 3 state tournament when he finished second in the district tournament this past weekend. The accomplishment had even greater satisfaction for Sloan amid medical issues during the season.
He had to have his carotid arteries evaluated with an angiogram, the major vessels of his heart, and he wore a heart monitor for three weeks and wrestled through it. It was eventually diagnosed with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS). The POTS has required major dietary changes.
“At first, I had a heart monitor put on me because I got diagnosed with POTS syndrome. That was a minor setback,” said Sloan.
“Also, I went through a bad shoulder injury and we’re still not sure what is wrong, but we were thinking it was a labrum tear. So, wrestling through all that has been a challenge but it’s been working.”
Sloan said his treatment has been very good for both he heart and shoulder.
“It hasn’t affected me too much. It’s kept me out of practice a little bit,” said Sloan.
Putting the medical issues in the rearview mirror, Sloan reflected on the competition he faced on the mat as well.
“I got some hard competition from Ohio, West Virginia and Kentucky. It’s been fun to wrestle some good wrestlers and it's even more fun that I’m able to compete with them,” said Sloan, who has a 34-5 record this season and 98-27 during his three varsity seasons.
Getting his first state berth this weekend at the Schottenstein Center at Ohio State University means Sloan will be facing some wrestlers he’s seen before or at least have a wrestling style he’s faced.
“Seeing them before makes it easier when the postseason starts. I know what I’m expecting and I know what I’m preparing for,” said Sloan. “Beating the same guys that maybe I’ve been losing to, wherever it matters, it’s the best feeling in wrestling.”
Still, this will be the state tournament and he will be wrestling quality opponents each match and in front of loud large crowds. Sloan said he welcomes the challenge.
“I don’t know what to think. I haven’t been there. I didn’t expect to do as well at districts as I did, so I think I can go shake up that bracket at the state, too,” said Sloan.
Sloan began wrestling in the second grade and he said his brother Ben is the main reason for finding his way onto the mat.
Ben is now a freshman member in the University of Rio Grande program.
“He always roughed me up when I was little. I was ready for wrestling before I knew it,” said Sloan with a laugh.
Besides wrestling, Sloan plays baseball, runs cross country and has played football. He said he has enjoyed every sport.
“Going into high school, it was always a toss up between baseball and wrestling, but I’ve got to go with wrestling now as my favorite sport,” said Sloan. “I think that’s what’s calling me.”
Looking beyond high school, Sloan said he would love to wrestle at the college level.
“I’d love to wrestle for whatever college wants me. I’d be glad to give them a really hard worker. Whether it’s D1, D2, D3, NAIA, it doesn’t matter,” said Sloan.
One sport that Sloan said benefits his wrestling is cross country.
“I run cross country. It’s very good conditioning for me. I love coach (Tim) Thomas. Going into cross country, my stamina is awful. But coming out of it I feel like I can run forever,” said Sloan.
Sports pretty much dominate Sloan who simply calls himself “ a sport guy.” But there is another activity that interests Sloan and that’s the female gender.
“I love the girls,” said Sloan with a grin.
And that could be the greatest challenge he’ll ever face.
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Sloan (34-5) was the Division 3 district runner-up at Coshocton High School as he lost a tough 6-5 decision to Sebastian Schmeltzer (46-5) of Waynedale.
Fairland Dragons senior C.J. Graham (47-2) won the 126-pound class with a 10-3 decision over Colton Nixon (43-7) of Martins Ferry.
Graham was the state runner-up last season.
Fairland senior Will Callicoat was third as he qualified for the state meet for a second straight season. Callicoat (44-4) beat Jackson McNeal (47-7) of Huntington in a 5-0 decision.
Graham is listed as the top seed for the state tournament 126-pound weight class. Callicoat is the No.3 seed in the 190-pound division and Sloan is the 11th seed at 132 pounds.
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