Ankeny sophomore Layne Hearne was off to a promising start to his wrestling career, never afraid to back down. In the blink of an eye, everything changed. Now he’s in an Iowa City hospital, gearing up for his biggest challenge yet.On Sunday, May 3, the 15-year-old was wrestling at an event in Cedar Rapids. While being taken down, he landed awkwardly upside down.”I felt a jolt through my whole body, and I felt something was not right,” Hearne said. “I remember it felt like my legs were still in the air, and I looked down and they weren’t. That’s when I really knew there was a real issue going on.”He had broken his neck. Paramedics rushed him to the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital. He underwent emergency surgery on his C6 and C7 vertebrae.Since then, he has regained movement in his arms but not the dexterity in his fingers. He has no movement from the chest down. Doctors are hopeful he’ll recover and walk again, but nothing is guaranteed.”With all the people I’ve had around me, it’s really easy to help keep mind off that and focus on my recovery,” Hearne said.The wrestling community has shown overwhelming support.”That alone allows me to keep my spirits up. That is really the biggest thing. A lot of the athletes from University of Iowa have come to me as well. Amazing to see the support system. Tuesday, the USA Greco World Team came to visit. They are competing at the Pan Am Championships in Coralville. I had Ben Kueter, Stephen Buchannan and Alex Marinelli come, as well as Coach Bobby and one of the women wrestlers as well. It was surreal to see them come. It was really cool. It was a reminder there are so many good people in the world,” he said. “Coach Kevin Dresser from Iowa State, he sent me a personalized video. I was on a call with Dan Gable and coach Dan McCarney from Iowa State. I’ve had so many influential people reach out, it’s been huge.”He will soon be moved to a rehab center in North Liberty, Iowa. After that, he could head to a rehab facility in Lincoln, Nebraska. He’s optimistic and determined to walk again.”It is going to take time, lots of hard work and dedication. There are going to be very hard days. There are going to be good days as well. It is all in God’s plan. I’ve got these people rallied around me that are going to help me. That will be a big step in the right direction.”The family has set up a GoFundMe to help. Here is the Caring Bridge site.

IOWA CITY, Iowa —

Ankeny sophomore Layne Hearne was off to a promising start to his wrestling career, never afraid to back down. In the blink of an eye, everything changed. Now he’s in an Iowa City hospital, gearing up for his biggest challenge yet.

On Sunday, May 3, the 15-year-old was wrestling at an event in Cedar Rapids. While being taken down, he landed awkwardly upside down.

“I felt a jolt through my whole body, and I felt something was not right,” Hearne said. “I remember it felt like my legs were still in the air, and I looked down and they weren’t. That’s when I really knew there was a real issue going on.”

He had broken his neck. Paramedics rushed him to the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital. He underwent emergency surgery on his C6 and C7 vertebrae.

Since then, he has regained movement in his arms but not the dexterity in his fingers. He has no movement from the chest down. Doctors are hopeful he’ll recover and walk again, but nothing is guaranteed.

“With all the people I’ve had around me, it’s really easy to help keep mind off that and focus on my recovery,” Hearne said.

The wrestling community has shown overwhelming support.

“That alone allows me to keep my spirits up. That is really the biggest thing. A lot of the athletes from University of Iowa have come to me as well. Amazing to see the support system. Tuesday, the USA Greco World Team came to visit. They are competing at the Pan Am Championships in Coralville. I had Ben Kueter, Stephen Buchannan and Alex Marinelli come, as well as Coach Bobby and one of the women wrestlers as well. It was surreal to see them come. It was really cool. It was a reminder there are so many good people in the world,” he said. “Coach Kevin Dresser from Iowa State, he sent me a personalized video. I was on a call with Dan Gable and coach Dan McCarney from Iowa State. I’ve had so many influential people reach out, it’s been huge.”

He will soon be moved to a rehab center in North Liberty, Iowa. After that, he could head to a rehab facility in Lincoln, Nebraska. He’s optimistic and determined to walk again.

“It is going to take time, lots of hard work and dedication. There are going to be very hard days. There are going to be good days as well. It is all in God’s plan. I’ve got these people rallied around me that are going to help me. That will be a big step in the right direction.”

The family has set up a GoFundMe to help. Here is the Caring Bridge site.