Perhaps no obstacle can stop Libertyville wrestler Ethan Trowbridge.
In the face of both physical and mental challenges, Trowbridge continues to compete through his senior season.
“Ethan’s great talent is his tenacity, his willingness to keep going when things don’t always work out the way he wishes,” said classmate Pierce Adams, who also has overcome adversity.
Trowbridge suffered a fractured spine during an offseason practice in his freshman year and then had two bulging discs in his lower back toward the end of last season.
“I knew from that point on that I was going to deal with back pain for a long time, possibly the rest of my life, but I sucked it up because I love the sport,” he said.
Trowbridge, a Luther College commit, also said he has “struggled with anxiety and depression all my life.”
“Which makes it hard for me to find motivation for most tasks, even wrestling,” he said. “Yet as a result, I have learned how to push through and get things done, regardless of the situation. It also led me to pursue a degree in psychology for college so I can help others who struggle just as I do.”
Trowbridge said reading has helped him. He owns more than 500 books.
“I’ve often used reading as an escape,” he said. “If I was struggling with my mental health, I would just pull out a book, which could help my worries go away or at least make time more manageable. Every book is its own unique world that I can live in.”
A storybook ending to Trowbridge’s high school wrestling career may not be outside the realm of possibility. After placing fourth in the 165-pound weight class at the Class 3A Grant Regional last year, Trowbridge (19-8) won his first tournament title at the Libertyville Invitational earlier this month.
“What makes Ethan such a talented wrestler is his aggressive focus in his matches,” Libertyville coach Dale Eggert said. “He’s always looking to score. He has developed some very sneaky scoring moves that you can count on him pulling out quickly. He’s a shooter and an attacker and pretty sneaky on top.
“He does everything well. He’s going to wrestle the whole six minutes. Ethan also does anything within his power to help the team, helping the younger guys with suggestions.”
A North Suburban Conference honorable mention last year, Trowbridge said he diversified his repertoire during the offseason.
“I have been doing well at expanding off of my best moves, learning different tie-ups, working on different chain moves and getting out on bottom,” he said. “I can see the results of my work in the offseason, as I’m beating state qualifiers and state-ranked guys left and right.
“I have also been reacting better in my matches, from sprawling when they shoot or adapting how I attack based on their offense. All of these moves massively increased my arsenal.”
Libertyville senior James Scanio said Trowbridge is relentless on the mat.
“Ethan gives 100% every day and is one of if not the most hardworking guys in the room,” Scanio said. “Ethan pushes the pace in matches and never stops battling. Ethan is a really good leader because he leads by example.”
Trowbridge, Pierce and Scanio are the team’s only seniors. Trowbridge said he enjoys the role.
“Being part of a small senior class really makes my part of being a leader important,” he said. “I stay after practices to help the lower levels with some moves they want to work on. At our meets, I do my part by making sure the team stays fired up.”
Trowbridge’s perseverance motivates teammates too.
“I admire his grit to continue wrestling,” Adams said.
Bobby Narang is a freelance reporter.
