Athlete of the Month
Bruce Royce

Pictures and Content courtesy of Bruce Royce

Bruce Royce’s journey to the wrestling mat was not a lifelong pursuit; he first stepped onto the mat as a high school freshman, never imagining the sport would become the cornerstone of his life. From the beginning, wrestling presented a unique challenge that few other endeavors had offered. Quickly earning a varsity position and rising to the role of team captain, Royce found his greatest rewards not in individual medals, but in the camaraderie built within the wrestling room and the teammates he encouraged to join the sport.
When he began wrestling at Bishop Manogue Catholic High School, the program was small, with only a handful of participants. Royce took an active role in recruiting friends, eager to share the sport he had grown to love. Over time, his efforts helped the program grow from approximately six wrestlers to a size capable of filling both varsity and junior varsity rosters.
For Royce, one of the most rewarding aspects of the sport is watching teammates discover their own passion for wrestling. He enjoys supporting younger and newer athletes as they navigate the challenges of learning, improving, and recognizing their own potential. Whether traveling to tournaments, celebrating victories, sitting beside a teammate after a difficult loss, or enduring a rigorous practice, Royce believes that wrestling fosters relationships that extend far beyond the mat.
To Royce, the sport is unique because, eventually, an athlete’s greatest opponent is themselves. Wrestling forces one to confront setbacks, fears, and weaknesses while continually setting new goals. There is always a technique to refine, a level of conditioning to reach, or a mistake to learn from. This discipline has taught Royce that true improvement requires humility—the willingness to recognize where growth is needed and the dedication to put in the work.
That philosophy extends into the classroom. Royce believes that being a student-athlete means demonstrating the same discipline, integrity, and accountability in academics that are expected in competition. He has strived to remain academically competitive, hoping that his commitment in the classroom inspires his teammates to do the same. This shared dedication was reflected when the Bishop Manogue wrestling program received an Academic Excellence Award, an accomplishment Royce deeply values as a representation of what student-athletics should be: a platform for developing both strong athletes and strong people.
Since his freshman season, Royce has qualified for state championships every year, consistently growing as a heavyweight wrestler while seeking opportunities to challenge himself against stronger competition. Like any athlete, he has faced injuries, tough losses, and moments where progress stalled. These setbacks, however, have become some of his most important lessons. He has learned that resilience is not merely about pushing through difficulty; it often means rebuilding patiently, accepting feedback, and returning to the mat ready to work.
That desire to grow led Royce beyond his high school wrestling room to training camps nationwide. During the summer of 2026, he attended a camp at IMG Academy in Florida, where he received the Gatorade “Hardest Worker” Award. By the end of the summer, he was recruited by IMG Academy to join its national wrestling program as a heavyweight for his senior year.
For Royce and his family, this opportunity feels surreal and serves as a testament to the collective support he has received. He is particularly grateful to the wrestling community throughout Northern Nevada. He credits coaches—even those from other programs—who took the time to offer guidance, correct technique, and provide encouragement with genuine care. As he prepares to move to Florida, Royce feels he is carrying the spirit of Northern Nevada with him, bolstered by every teammate who battled alongside him and every person who supported his journey. He remains deeply appreciative of his parents: his father, who stepped in to coach when needed, and his mother, whose unwavering presence and vocal support were a constant at every match.
As he enters his senior year, Royce knows there is still much to learn. His goals extend beyond winning matches; he aims to continue developing as a wrestler, competing at the highest level possible, maintaining academic rigor, and supporting his new teammates. After four years, what Royce loves most about wrestling is not simply the victories it allows, but the person it compels an athlete to become. It has taught him to respond to adversity with grace, celebrate the success of others, remain humble, and set goals that foster growth on and off the mat. For Bruce Royce, that is what makes wrestling truly worth loving.