By Andy Hamilton
Iowa City Press-Citizen
There was a time last winter when doctors told Mark Bogart his wrestling career was finished, and Bogart told himself he’d continue at Iowa if he had the chance.
It appears as if that dream is becoming close to reality for the former Blair (N.J.) Academy wrestler.
Bogart said Tuesday he has been medically cleared to wrestle again, and plans to join the Hawkeyes at the semester break.
“I’d be proud to wear an Iowa singlet, “Bogart said. “There’s not really a better place in the country traditionally to wrestle. I liked (Iowa) a lot, and I decided if I was able to wrestle again I’d want to come here.”
Bogart’s road to Iowa City has taken some unexpected turns. He was a two-time national prep champion and part of powerful Blair Academy teams with Iowa sophomore Mark Perry Jr.
Bogart was ranked seventh in the country at 130 pounds by W.I.N. entering his senior season, but he suffered a neck injury that prevented him from wrestling in 2004.
“He was probably my best friend my junior and senior year there, “Perry said. “He was being recruited by a lot of the top schools in the country his senior year, but they all kind of quit recruiting him after that injury happened.”
Bogart wound up at American University in Washington, D.C. He suffered another neck injury, which required surgery in January. Doctors told him his wrestling career was likely finished.
“They told me I probably couldn’t wrestle again due to (the possibility of) paralysis, “Bogart said. “I went back for a checkup a couple weeks ago and they (told me) I had been taking care of myself and rehabbing very well.
“It feels great. It feels 100 percent.”
Bogart — who did not enroll at American this fall — spent months strengthening his neck in an effort to get back on the mat.
“He’s been talking to me for a while about coming here, probably close to eight months, “Perry said. “He believes he can start. He wants to be a national champion, and he thinks he can be effective here. I think we feel he can help us. It’s going to take time. He hasn’t been able to wrestle, but next year he could be in the lineup.”
Bogart’s eligibility clock would have three seasons remaining in the fall of 2006. He said he hopes to be granted a medical hardship and regain a year of eligibility.
Bogart could be eligible to wrestle for the Hawkeyes in January. He is expected to compete at 133 pounds, where Iowa lost senior starter Mario Galanakis, who did not enroll for the fall semester.
Bogart said he doesn’t expect to provide immediate help for the Hawkeyes.
“I’m hoping by next fall I’ll be ready to go, “Bogart said. “Right now, I’m just trying to train, get my shape back. I’m feeling good, I’ve just got to get my shape back, but I’m definitely hoping to be in the lineup by next fall.”
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