CLEVELAND, Tenn. — Bradley Central held a commanding lead Friday in its annual invitational wrestling tournament, but the Bears’ performance drew little more than a collective yawn from their fans.
Such performances are expected, and those expectations are part of the pressure Bradley wrestlers deal with — daily, weekly, monthly and annually.
“Not only do you have the pressure that you put on yourself, but there is also an unspoken pressure from the guys who came before you,” Bradley coach Steve Logsdon said, pointing to the numerous state championship banners adorning the walls of Jim Smiddy Arena. “Those banners represent a lot of work and a lot of commitment, and hopefully wrestling is something in which the student body and community have a lot of pride.”
Like other programs, Bradley wrestling was something that had to be built, and Logsdon was quick to point to current athletic director Turner Jackson, who took over the program in 1980 and began laying the foundation.
Winning a state title last season and subsequently becoming an early signee with the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga took a lot of pressure off 119-pound Logan Biddy, who entered this tournament with a 15-0 record. But pressure, he said, is an everyday thing and part of the Bradley wrestling lifestyle.
“There’s pressure to get better and work harder every day,” he said.
And there is the pressure of knowing you’re supposed to win because you wear that black singlet with the white bear paw between the shoulder blades.
“I don’t think the coaches put pressure on us, but I think we feel pressure as a team. There are expectations because you wrestle for Bradley,” Biddy said.
“Yeah, there’s pressure. There is that unspoken pressure where no one wants to be a part of a team that begins a backslide for Bradley,” Logsdon said. “It’s fun to climb that mountain, to get to the top. Being the hunter is enjoyable. Being the hunted brings a different type pressure.”
Logsdon said the recipe for success hasn’t changed much over the years: Ignore outside expectations, work hard and don’t put too much stock in either criticism or praise.
The philosophy covers a 119-match home streak over 16 seasons.
Biddy and fellow captains David Graham (135) and Josh Disney (160) are part of the reason for Bradley’s continued success. Graham has won two state titles so far, and Disney placed third in the state last year.
“Biddy didn’t start as a freshman, but you could see a lot of potential,” Logsdon said. “He wasn’t strong physically, but he worked hard on technique, and the strength and physical maturity came as he grew. Graham was a low-key kid and kept to himself, but he has blossomed and become a leader for Bradley in football and wrestling. And Josh is another quiet kid, but he has become a great role model. He doesn’t draw attention to himself, but he does all the right things.
“It’s very satisfying to see kids go from being average to gaining confidence and knowledge and coming into their own. It’s fun to watch what this sport does for kids and the way they feel about themselves by taking work ethic and dedication to success.”
Three such examples would be the Bradley captains: Biddy, Graham and Disney.
Bradley Central Invitational scores
(Through first round of consolations)
Bradley Central 98, Greenback 75.5, Dalton 70, Ooltewah 56, Hoover 55.5, Notre Dame 54, Hixson 51, Blackman 49, Maryville 43.5, Halls 27, Huntsville 27, Southeast Whitfield 22.5, Sevier County 18, Farragut 17, Daniel Boone 15, Karns 15, William Blount 14, Kingston 12, Union County 6.
