"Our numbers are good, we're always competitive, we're consistant every year, we always bring home state medals. And that's the thing I'm proud of."
Those are the words of Monett wrestling coach Daryl Bradley, as the trophy case outside the school's gym is full of his team's honors. And inside the gym, Bradley is busy barking instructions, even using body language to try and help his grapplers to victory.
"I wrestle each match with the kids," Bradley explains with a smile. "The older I get the fewer matches I wrestle with them. You might think that's a little weird but but it's just natural to do those motions. It's just the competitor coming out in me."
There's also a lot of verbal communication as these wrestlers are not only physically challenging each other, but locked in a mental duel as well.
"It's all muscle memory and you've got to be one, two, three steps ahead of it," Bradley said. "That's what makes it great. You take a shot, there's a counter, there's a counter to that and a counter to that, You've got to prepare your kids for all types of situations. It seems like a short period of time but it's an eternity sometimes. You're using every muscle in your body and you want everything to move in conjunction with each other. Sometimes they get tired and you've just got to point out little things to maybe help improve their position,"
This year has been especially intense for Bradley because it marks the final season that his son will be on the team.
"I didn't necessarily think I would but I got a little choked up myself knowing this is the last time my son's going to compete here," he said. "But I wouldn't wish it on anybody. It's very difficult at times but it's also been rewarding as well. Just to know you're there spending time with your son and enjoying these moments with him."
Bradley loves his son and his sport. And he believes the wrestling community is not doing enough to educate the average fan.
"I think us as coaches need to do a better job promoting our sport," he said. "With a person just walking in with no wrestling experience it's just not very exciting. But the thing is from the 100-pounders all the way up to the heavyweights, it's a sport for everybody."
