CLEVELAND, Tenn. – With the spotlight centered on two of the state’s most prestigious wrestling programs, a quick start for fourth-ranked Bradley Central did not last long Tuesday night.
Proving to be head and heels above the rest of their Class AAA competition so far this season, the top-ranked Cleveland Blue Raiders rumbled to a 54-10 win over their archrivals on senior night inside Raider Arena.
Huge OT win (7-5 dec) for Cleveland freshman Ashton Davis, who is still undefeated on the season. Davis fought back to tie in last 15 seconds. Blue Raiders up 23-10. #bestofpreps pic.twitter.com/3vxbAnJaMr
— Patrick MacCoon (@PMacCoon) January 9, 2019
“They are the best team in the state in our classification and arguably right at the top of the entire state with Baylor,” Bradley coach Ben Smith said. “We were clearly outmatched in some spots, and we lost some decisions we could have won. Kudos to them.”
The “Big Blue,” who also have a 52-12 win over second-ranked Wilson Central this season, picked up six victories by pin and were ignited by a dominant top-ranked trio in Logan Whiteside, Grant Lundy and reigning state champion Austin Mathews in the 138-152 weight-class range.