After a successful high school wrestling career, Matt Everson walked onto the Minnesota Gophers squad and made the team. This was supposed to be his breakout season.
But when Everson returns, he hopes to pick up where he left off.
Throughout high school, the wrestling mat was home to Matt Everson.
Wrestling for the Mitchell Kernels, Matt Everson placed in the state tournament four times.
His senior year, rather than take the more likely route to a state championship, Matt dropped a weight class to face a tougher opponent. A sacrifice that ended his final high school season with a third-place finish in state.
"I've always asked him if he's regretted that. He said, nope. It was a good thing to do, I'm glad I did it. It made me better," says Bob Everson, Matt's dad.
"He was always disappointed he didn't quite make it to the goal of being a champion. But a four-time state place winner, still really good," says Deb Everson, Matt's mom.
But Everson wasn't done. Some friends told the former student body president he couldn't do it.
"By saying, 'Oh you'll never make it Division-1. You know, it's really tough to do.' That's all you have to do to Matt is give him a challenge, and he s
aid, 'Oh yeah. I'll show you,'" Deb says.Without a scholarship, he walked on to the Minnesota Gophers wrestling team.
"It made the hair stand up on the back of your neck," Bob says.
When his new team needed him to make a sacrifice, Everson gave up his redshirt season and filled in for an injured starter.
"There are guys on scholarships who never see the mat. And here you've got a kid from Mitchell, South Dakota who didn't win a state tournament, but had determination enough to go in and stick with it, work his butt off. He made it to the mat for the University of Minnesota. You've got to feel proud about that," Bob says.
Matt lost that one match his freshmen year. An injury ended his sophomore season after just one more match.
This year, his junior year, was going to be Everson's breakout year.
"I'm real close. I've just got to break through," Matt says.
And that's when Matt's other commitment came calling.
"In all honesty, I didn't think the war was going to last this long. You know?" Matt says. "I was naïve as a 17 year old not to think the war was going to last as long as it has."
Five years after he signed up for the National Guard. Five years after the start of the Iraq War. Matt Everson was called to duty.
"As a parent, it's frightening. In fact, I would say terrifying. Probably one of the hardest things I've ever had to do is say goodbye to him," Deb says.
Matt always knew it would be a possibility and says he's proud to serve. He also says this story is far from over.
"When we talk to him, he's running, he's lifting weights. He's doing all kinds of things whenever he can to stay in shape, cuz he wants to finish that goal," Deb says.
When his tour is finished, Everson says he'll be back.
"We hope he gets back to it, but it'll be tough," Bob says.
Lou Raguse: "Do you think he can do it?"
Bob: "Oh, if anyone can, Matt can."
A sacrifice put a college wrestling career on hold. The mat is empty now, but it's not likely to stay that way.
"The biggest thing is having the opportunity. And once you have the opportunity, you have to be ready to strike. So I'm just waiting for that opportunity, and waiting to strike when I get back," Matt says.
Matt Everson is part of the Bravo Battery with the 147th Field Artillery Unit. They are stationed about 190 miles south of Baghdad.
J. Robinson, Everson's wrestling coach at the University of Minnesota, is a war veteran. He pulled Everson aside and told him he's proud and hopes to see him on the team when he returns.
