Cleveland’s Chris Debien holds down Bradley Central’s Dyer Rose during their 113 pound match Thursday in Cleveland Tennessee.CLEVELAND, Tenn. – The gem that has become Cleveland High School wrestling might have flaws, but rival Bradley Central can attest that a jeweler’s loop would be necessary to spot them.
Second-ranked Cleveland handed the 10th-ranked Bears their second loss of the season, winning 12 of 14 matches in a sparkling 60-9 beatdown.
“There were situations where opportunities presented themselves and we took advantage,” first-year Cleveland coach Jake Yost said after the Blue Raiders rose to 17-2. “This is our best total effort to date, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have things to take care of.”
The 51-point spread, according to those with extensive knowledge of wrestling in Bradley County, is the largest victory for Cleveland in the series in more than three decades. The Blue Raiders have posted wins over the Bears in back-to-back years for the first time since the early 1990s. Cleveland also won in their region duals matchup late last season.
The hosts allowed Bradley a two-point decision at 170 pounds, where Robbie Clark moved up a weight class for an 8-6 decision, and a forfeit to 106-pounder Toribio Navarro.