It’s been quite the second half turnaround for the Cody Bronc Wrestling team. After going through a gauntlet of 4A opponents back in December the Bronc grapplers, following a win vs. Powell Tuesday night, have now won five straight duals. Two Broncs that are helping lead the charge for Cody, Brady Deming and Grayson Beaudrie. Both placed in the top five of their weight classes at State a year ago and have continued to showcase their talents. I was able to catch up with the two of them to talk about the season, their performance up to this point and more. Deming, who finished 4th at State last year talks about the mental toughness one must have with no tournaments this year and only dual competition.
“Yeah, I think our focus is going to have to shift, not only from our physical aspect but just a mental toughness getting through the season. You know, we’re going to have some tough matches ahead. We need to be able to really focus ourselves mentally as much as we are physically.”
This years roster sees a healthy mix of youth and veteran talent with five freshmen in the varsity line-up and Brady talks about that dynamic.
“I think it’s good. I think a lot of guys are stepping up and showing some great leadership. And then a lot of these freshmen stepping up and are learning a lot quickly. So you know, I think as the season goes on, this will become a great team.”
And what’s one area of emphasis for the Broncs to better themselves?
“I think we need to work on top, just getting pins. I think we’re good in all other aspects except, maybe just getting six points when we need to instead of three. Really helping us compete as a team, especially in this dual setting. Other than that I think we’ve got a lot of skill.”
Grayson Beaudrie is just a sophomore for Cody but competes well beyond his years. Beaudrie finished 5th at state a year ago and says with only dual competition this year it’s allowed for a greater focus.
“Oh yeah, it’s a big change. It’s helped a lot. A lot of us are getting a lot sharper compared to the first couple of duals where we’re all just rusty coming back into it. We’re picking up the pace. We all wrestled really good this first dual and we’re just looking a lot sharper and it’s helping a lot.”
That stiff competition to start the season back in December is starting to pay dividends for this group as they are now finding their stride. Beaudrie on the lessons learned.
“Wrestling the best schools helps a lot because you’re wrestling the best kids, so you know what’s going to happen when you meet a hammer. You’re coming into it wrestling rusty but then you’re coming out knowing what you need to do better. Kind of lets you get down a little bit cause you’re not winning all your matches but it helps a lot, big learning experience.”
And Grayson takes the opposite approach than Brady when asked what this team needs to work on the most.
“Next step is just always bottom, bottom, bottom, bottom, bottom. Gotta get up and away. Score your points. Not let them pin you cause pins over. You gotta just get away and get points.”
You can catch Brady, Grayson and the rest of the Bronc Wrestling team as they return to action this weekend taking part in the Border War Duals and Kelly Walsh.
