Brown Deer co-op looks to build off momentum of individual state champion at team event this weekend
BROWN DEER, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Nine years ago, Julian Gladney and Sedrick Hay started the Brown Deer wrestling co-op at Messmer and Shorewood high schools. The first team started with just three students.
"It's gone past all the expectations that we set up in the beginning," said Gladney.
Now, the program has a full youth program through the elementary school, a middle school team, and a girls' team. As well as Brown Deer's first state champion since Mark Gaszek in 1980.
"I had so many celebrations planned out and then everything went out the window," said Maximus Hay, 126-lb. state champion.
He's the first champion for the co-op, as Shorewood hasn't had an individual champion since Corey Ricco in 1989. Hay overcame a herniated disk at the beginning of the season to complete a 32-0 season with the Division 1 state title at 126 lbs. in a 4-3 decision over Brock Needham from Holmen.
"I was going to retire last year, okay, but Max, in the off-season, Max talked to me and said that he wanted me to come back because he wanted me to sit in the chair at Matt's side when he won a state championship. And when it happened, you know, how do you explain that feeling?" said Gladney. "Unbelievable."
"I just started flexing right away, screaming. And I mean, I looked up, opened my eyes, saw my dad right there and just gave him a big hug because, it wasn't just me that won state titles, also him and my teammates, too," said Hay.
Hay is the son of assistant coach Sedrick. Brown Deer sent a school-record eight wrestlers to the state meet, including Elaine from the girls' program, who is Max's sister. On top of that, Paiton Norrington is Max's cousin, and Makhi and Mykell Rodgers are also cousins of the Hays.
Makhi finished fifth in the 285-lb. weight class.
"It's a great thing to just see my whole family down at state. It's like, something that we work hard for and we're finally enjoying it," said Makhi.
The seniors on this team have built this moment since 8th grade.
"It was my friends from football, starting in 8th grade football, me recruiting them and then them coming out freshman year, and we'll just be able to build a dynasty just like that. And then my brother, too, Sedrick Hay Jr., he's the one that really started and really kicked it off. So, I mean, if it wasn't for him, this program probably wouldn't be as big as it is right now," said Hay.
The journey will be capped with the Falcons competing in the state team wrestling event in La Crosse for the first time in program history.
"We definitely got some momentum going. You know, everybody's in a happy mood. Everybody's up. We're riding a high right now," said Hay.
"We all hungry. The whole team hungry for it. We all want to win," said Rodgers.
A perfect sendoff for the seniors, but also Coach Gladney, who is retiring at the end of the season. He's grateful for all of the help in building the program, calling Sedrick Hay the backbone.
"You really can't have a successful program unless you have the community behind it, the families behind it, and the coaches. And we've been very fortunate to have that here at Brown Deer," said Gladney. "I'm overjoyed with what we've done so far. But as far as how the future looks, you know, can't wait to see it."
Brown Deer/Messmer/Shorewood are the 5th seed and will face 4-seeded Waunakee Friday, March 6, at 5:30 p.m. at the La Crosse Center.