Gabe Moreno stepped onto the practice mats last week, just like normal. 

This time, though, was not to practice his wrestling positions. Instead, it was to tell his teammates that he’ll be missing the rest of the season.

The feelings of shock, sadness and utter defeat lingered throughout the practice facility with every wrestler.

Moreno has faced injuries during his time at Iowa State, but his shoulder has been the main injury for him over the last couple years.

The injury first started last year at the Big 12 Championships, where Moreno dislocated his shoulder in the semi-final round. An MRI later showed he had a torn labrum, bicep tear and a dislocated shoulder. That didn’t stop Moreno from competing in one match at the NCAA Championships before pulling out because of injury.

“He probably shouldn’t have been wrestling at the NCAA Championships, but he made the decision that he wanted to try and compete,” said coach Kevin Jackson. “He got through a seven-minute match with all that damage to his shoulder, so it just speaks to his toughness.”

This shoulder injury led to surgery during the offseason, and a long and physical rehabilitation for Moreno to come back 100 percent healthy.

He is now dealing with a similar injury to that same shoulder. The damage to his shoulder is not as severe as last year, Jackson said, but it’s serious enough to pull him out for the reminder of the season.

Moreno had surgery on his shoulder Wednesday morning, although neither he nor the team was available for comment.

Successful surgery this AM. Chin up Buffers. You’ll be back to doin sick stuff to other humans soon! #TheCombackPt2 pic.twitter.com/oNkBqBWmoO

— Nubes Moreno (@Miguel70kgUSA) February 3, 2016

“It’s tough and it’s sad to someone like Gabe because he’s a good wrestler and an extremely hard worker,” said redshirt junior Kyle Larson. “He deserves to be out there competing.”

Moreno went 5-4 in dual matches with wins against Boise State, Wyoming, George Mason, Kent State and Chattanooga. The win against George Mason was by a pin in the second period.

Really wish I could have been out on the mat for my teammates and the fans but proud of my boys getting it done today. #ALLIN

— Gabriel Moreno (@buffaloccfyp) February 1, 2016

He has faced some top-ranked wrestlers in the 149-pound class such as Brandon Sorensen, Matt Kraus and Davion Jefferies and has come up short. Moreno has had close losses against top-ranked teams such as Virginia Tech and Arizona State.

“Gabe used to be my roommate, and when I heard the news from him, it almost brought tears to my eyes,” said senior Earl Hall. “Now I have to go out there and work even harder to make not only myself proud but Gabe as well.”

Hall will not be the only wrestler on the team to make Moreno proud. The backups for the 149-pound class will wrestle and receive feedback and advice from Moreno on ways to improve.

As of now, the backups include Blayne Briceno and Dante Rodriguez. Briceno has been wrestling at 149 pounds throughout the entire season, but Rodriguez has made the move up to 149 pounds after gaining muscle during the winter break.

Briceno wrestled the first two duals of the season while Moreno was serving a suspension and also getting back to 100 percent health. He also wrestled against Central Michigan on Jan. 31 and was pinned in the first period.

Rodriguez started the season as the 141-pound class wrestler for Iowa State and was dominant, with pins and major decisions over his opponents. Once the season reached winter break, Rodriguez disappeared from the starting lineup because of weight issues. He didn’t compete at Midlands or at the Virginia Duals.

“Both of them [Briceno or Rodriguez] are talented enough to take over the starting spot at 149,” Larson said. “We just need one of them to step up and take control of the spot before we reach the Big 12 Championships.”

As for Moreno, he’s only a junior, so he has one more year as an ISU wrestler. Jackson expects him to come back healthier than any of his years as a Cyclone. Moreno will have a longer offseason to rehab his shoulder and any other minor injuries he’s faced this season. 

Hall and Larson both agreed that Moreno will continue to be a leader the rest of this season and next season. They also expect Moreno to wrestle to his highest potential next season not only because he’s been a points leader but because it’s his senior year. 

“You never question his effort, you never question his heart, you never question how hard he works in practice,” Jackson said. “He’s meant a ton to us both on and off the mat. He’s, as we say, all in.”