By Justin Sokeland
WBIW.com
BEDFORD – Wrestling is a numbers game. The sport features 14 classes, three two-minute periods of hand-to-hand combat to determine a winner, and the digits on the weight scale dictate a competitor’s destiny.
For Bedford North Lawrence, a program that has featured individual achievement but historically lacked team success, the key numbers are 18 – the total number of athletes who have reported for the 2024-25 season – and 3 – the few Stars who have qualified for the IHSAA state finals in the school’s half-century history. The first number could change the future, the latter could change if one of BNL’s best can make a deep postseason run.
From the team standpoint, Mike Branam is taking over as head coach. He’s excited about the increased turnout, realistic about the youth comprising that larger roster. Young grapplers often have to endure losses to earn experience. The brutal sport is not for everyone. “It’s the only high school sport with built-in blood time,” Branam said with a laugh.
“We’re going to be young, but I’d rather have a young, full squad than not enough kids,” Branam said. “We’re focusing on the mental aspect of it. I have found, from the other sports, the mental part is the part we really need to work on. When you’re out there, getting beat on for six minutes at a time, it can wear on you psychologically.”
From the individual standpoint, BNL’s spotlight will shine first on senior Ethan Stancombe, who advanced to the semistate at 165 pounds, finishing with a 30-9 record. He’s looking to join exclusive company on BNL’s short list – Chris Jones in 1982, Byron Blackwell in 1984, and Shawn Fields in 1989 – of state finals qualifiers.
“Anything can happen,” Stancombe said. “In wrestling, it’s mindset. It’s about making do with what you have. It’s training hard. Doing every rep like it’s my last one, give it all I’ve got every practice. Walk away knowing I did what I can do.
“I’m working with the best people I can, getting as many people in here as I can. I will do the best I can and give it all I’ve got. More importantly, I want to give glory to God.”
BNL will also feature junior Wyatt Philpott, a regional qualifier at 113 last season, and veteran Asher Arce, who competed at 175 a year ago. Tate Tanksley, who wrestled at 190, suffered a left shoulder injury during the football campaign and will miss his senior season.
“They will be our leaders and examples,” Branam said. “Everyone else is young and brand new. It might be a tough season, but hopefully we get better as the season goes.”
BNL will open the season with its Super 6 Duals tournament on Nov. 23.
