Souther Slam article

[texas23]

http://www.greenvilleonline.com/apps/pb ... 9912020375

 

 

Eastside's wrestling team went to a tournament in Georgia last year, which is when the Eagles became familiar with the team from Bradley Central in Cleveland, Tenn.

 

 

 

“The team that beat us by about 20 points got thumped by Bradley,” Eastside coach Jack Kosmicki said. “So they're up there. And I think they were young last year.”

 

That's also when the Eastside folks talked to Bradley Central about competing in the sixth Southern Slam, scheduled for tonight through Saturday at Eastside High School.

 

Kosmicki said tournament officials wanted to make Bradley Central “kind of the main attraction, to draw in other quality teams.”

 

“That's what we want. That's what we look for,” said Kosmicki, whose Eagles have won the last six Class AAA state titles. “We're looking for that high-quality competition. It draws better competition across the board.”

 

This year's Southern Slam, which begins tonight with the duals portion, involves 32 teams from six states.

 

Parkview (Ga.) is the three-time defending champion in the Southern Slam, and Oak Mountain (Ala.), last year's runner-up, also is back.

 

But Bradley Central has won 12 of the last 16 Division I, Class AAA (the largest class) state titles in Tennessee, which only adds to the level of competition.

 

“We place out to eighth place, so even your kids who are coming up and starting to make names for themselves, maybe a second-year varsity wrestler, those guys have an opportunity to place and be somewhat successful at this tournament,” Kosmicki said. “But to place in the top four or get to the finals, you're tough.”

 

Kosmicki, a big proponent of having his wrestlers compete above their heads, recalled taking his early Eastside teams to such tournaments.

 

“I'd only walk away with one medal,” he said. “Most of our guys would be eliminated the first night. But over time, they see that kind of competition and they get used to it"

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Bradley Central won this two day tournament. Oak Mountain from Alabama was second.

 

Go Bears!