According to Archbishop Curley coach Gregg Kessler, Friar 160-pounder Brett Brigman is one of the hardest workers in the school’s wrestling room. And that work ethic, combined with his off-season work, could help him to a very successful 2010-2011 campaign.
While off to a bumpy start in 2010, Brigman suffered a head injury in the early goings of his Ray Oliver quarterfinal and had to exit the tournament before being able to wrestle back.
But just a week later, Brigman was back on the mat and placed fifth in a tough War on the Shore tournament, making strides to a successful season.
In his off-season training, Brigman went through the MSWA’s Path to Fargo, a series of qualifying tournaments and intensive training camp before shipping out to the Fargo nationals. What he learned is sure to lead him down a path to success.
“The biggest thing I got from it was the mental toughness,” Brigman said. “You have four camps in a month, all-day training at American University, University of Maryland, Navy and Kolat.
“Last year, I knew what I had to do and just was not able to perform on the mat. This year, I have gotten a lot more comfortable on the mat, and it feels like I can use it. I don’t have any real expectations. I am just going to go out there, do what I can do, and, hopefully, I can have a good season.”
Brigman is already building off a successful wrestling career, returning to the Curley line-up at a state place-winner last season.
Brett’s younger brother, Jordan, also spent his summer on and around the mat in the Fargo events, finishing one spot shy of state placement last year to prompt him into the experience.
“Last year was my freshman year and I didn’t do as well as I wanted to, but came one round away from placing at states,” Jordan said. “That is what really motivated me to go to Fargo.
“The path and the tournament was hard work. Nobody is going to get through it easy, and it took my ability of wrestling to a whole new level. I learned what I needed to work on and what I needed to get better.”
With the snow canceling most of the athletic competition in the state today, the Brigman brothers will next try to put Curley among the top teams in this weekend’s Beast of the East tournament at the University of Delaware.
