I have been to practices around the state and many are varied in there level of hard work and daily routine. Coach Bill Kennedy of our Blackman Middle school is the closest I've seen of all teams I've witnessed in practice to a Bradley and other tough teams. Their (Bradley's) practices are so hard that a tournament is a Huge break for the boys. These boys drill and work out so hard that they have to peel their clothes off after practice ...and the mats and walls, even the rafters look like a tropical storm just blew through. (Water is dripping everywhere). They turn decent athletes into studs by their sophomore years. It's like a machine, but theyr also have decent talent with experience coming up from middle school. Hamm,,, get ready!!! 7 or so is coming your way this upcoming season and many more as this team of 100 or more is reloading as we speak!!!! This will add to region 5's strength along with Tullahoma and what they're building K-8th and beyond.
Off season wrestling helped my son be competitive and he was from region 8 and didn't start wrestling till 9th grade. I took him to other teams' practices when possible and let him experience what it takes to be as good as these true champs that are usually getting their hands raised when it matters most. He also had a dedicated and caring coach and some tough partners on the mat like some tougher Smyrna alum and Angelo Giasanti (former state champ) that was able to beat all of those great ones coming from the powerhouses. He knew what it took to get the job done and that helped to get close to their level in a relatively short time even with serious injury and setbacks.
It takes more hard work, years of great coaching and dedication to that coaching than just talent, and I believe that was the difference between 1st and 2nd at 215 this year