Do you like wrestling? I know sophomore Bryan Johnson does! That’s why he is one of Broad Run’s Greatest wrestlers.

Johnson has been wrestling for five years and has competed on varsity for Broad Run since his freshman year. 

Johnson is passionate about wrestling because “I just fell in love with it. I wasn’t very good at first, but my old coach pushed me to continue and commit to it. I figured out that this was a tough sport, and I took it as a challenge.” Johnson wasn’t always a wrestler though. “I’ve played football and soccer before, [but] I chose wrestling because I love the thrill of it and the way I don’t need to communicate with a team to play it.”

The varsity wrestler’s major achievements include winning states in the 2021-2022 off-season and beating the state runner-up.

Bryan is a very successful wrestler, however, he has faced some setbacks. “I got pinned by a kid who I beat every single other time I wrestled him, and that was the match that decided whether I went to states or not.” One of the most important things about sports and life, in general, is learning from your mistakes. That’s exactly what Bryan did. “I learned that I need to never let my guard down and not be overconfident, even with the bad kids.”

Johnson described Broad Run’s wrestling team “like my family. I don’t know what I would do without them, to be honest. They brighten my day and help me through tough challenges, wrestling and non-wrestling wise.”

The sophomore wrestler looks up to Coach Cooley “because he taught me how to be a better person throughout the time he’s been my coach, and I wouldn’t be at the place I am today without his encouragement, knowledge, and understanding.”

“never giving up is one of the most important things in life, no matter what you do.”

 – Bryan Johnson