What a weekend it was as Bradin Daniels traveled to Evansville for the IHSAA State Wrestling Tournament. Bradin cemented himself in the record book with his win Friday night. Daniels became the first Union City wrestler to advance to day two since 1991. Friday's match was against Dylan Bennett of Penn High School. Daniels controlled the match for all three periods and once the final horn sounded history was made. With the 6-2 win Bradin made it to day two and a spot in the top 8. Saturday morning got started and Bradin once again proved to the everyone he deserved to be there. Daniels wrestled ranked number three wrestler Luke Rioux from Avon High School. Rioux took the win against Bradin but not without a fight. Daniels went the distance and gave it everything he had. Everything Bradin tried Rioux had a block or counter to the moves. Once the horn sounded Rioux won 13-0. Bradin's next match was against number 2 ranked LT Hawkins of Crown Point to attempt to advance to the 5th place match. Daniels and Hawkins went to the ground quick with Daniels attempting a move and unfortunately Hawkins was able to counter and pinned Bradin in the first period. Bradin was now set up the wrestle for 7th place after the lunch break. Spirits were still high because Bradin knew he was finally going to be able to eat something and relax for a little bit. When the break was over Bradin knew it was time to get back to work as he would be facing Jay County wrestler Cody Rowles once again. Daniels and Rowles have met in the finals of the Sectional, Regional and Semi-State with Daniels winning two of the three weeks. Daniels and Rowles got things going in the 7th place match and Bradin was quick to get Rowles down for two points. Throughout the match Cody did everything he could to get Daniels in his signature move the "headlock" but Bradin was able to slide out each time. Staying cautious of the headlock Daniels once again was able to score two more points on Rowles. The final horn sounded and Bradin's hand was raised giving him a 7th place finish! With the win Bradin capped off the season with some impressive stats: 40-4 record Sectional Champion Regional Runner up Semi-State Champion State Placer 7th place Beat ranked wrestlers: #5 Mosier, #12 Bennett, #18 Rowles (3 times) First State Placer since Matt Taylor in 1991 First ever Semi-State Champion We want to thank everyone who supported Bradin and our wrestling program this season. It has been fun for everyone and we will be back to do it again next season with hopes of having more kids at the State Meet. Thank you to all four coaches Kevin Lawrence, Kyle Walters, Logan Shaffer and Reed Brandenburg for the time, commitment and wrestling you guys have done this season. AAU sign-ups are February 20th and 22nd from 6:00-7:00 in the Northside Gym Foyer. Make sure to come out and sign up! Your kids will get the chance to meet Bradin and some more of the wrestling while working with the coaches that can get your kid to the next level!