Chris Spangler has come to the realization he may never wrestle again.

The redshirt junior wrestled in only 11 matches this season because of concussions, which started at the Midlands Championships in December when he sustained the fifth concussion of his career.

After getting back on the mat six weeks later at the National Duals, Spangler picked up a victory against Wisconsin’s Frank Couzins. But another concussion at the Big 12 Championships in March put a halt to his career.

“For us, just the frustration and difficulty seeing one of our athletes and a teammate going through that kind of pain physically first — but then emotionally second — was upsetting,” said ISU coach Kevin Jackson.

With a concussion in each of his three years on the mat as a Cyclone, Spangler’s future will now be closely monitored. Spangler is only 22 years old, so the team will look at his career with his future outside wrestling in mind.

“Going forward I want the best thing for Chris; I want him to be healthy as he continues his young life,” Jackson said. “I’m looking forward to Chris being healthy the rest of his life.”

After being forced to skip the NCAA Championships because of his concussions despite qualifying, Spangler has been able to put things into perspective because of his constant battle with injuries.

“It’s been difficult, it’s kind of allowed me to do a little introspection,” Spangler said. “You’ve got to take advantage of every opportunity you’re presented with. You can’t let anything pass by because it goes by quick.”

Throughout his career — and especially the past season — Spangler has worked with team physician, Dr. Marc Shulman, and assistant director of ISU athletic training, Tim Weesner, to help him move past his concussions and gain a better understanding for his situation.

On April 19, Spangler and Weesner will travel to the University of Pittsburgh to meet with Dr. Micky Collins, a renowned sports-related concussion specialist, who Weesner described as one of the “top two or three” concussion doctors in the country.

Collins has worked with star athletes including hockey player Sidney Crosby and football player Tim Tebow and works with hundreds of professional and amateur athletes each year.

Weesner said the meeting would help everybody make the best decision in regards to Spangler’s future on the mat.

“Generally for any athlete, if there’s a medical concern that we’re not comfortable with, we’re not going to clear them to participate,” Weesner said. “If there is something where we just need to make them aware of what the possibilities are, then we need to educate them as much as possible.”

Spangler said the ideal situation would put him back on the mat for his final year at Iowa State, but he added that ultimately he will heed the advice of the people who know his situation best.

“Obviously I want to finish out my career here at Iowa State,” Spangler said. “Wrestling has been a great part of my life, but I’m going to take the recommendation of the professionals that have really studied this and know what they’re talking about.”

And Spangler is prepared to end his wrestling career if the move best suits his future.

“Whatever is dealt to you, you have to deal with it and move on and make yourself better from it,” Spangler said with pause. “Whatever the decision is, it is what it is, and I just have to move forward and be the best person I can be.”