Michael K. Bosi: Clyde's Wilson found a new gear, even after fast-lane high school career
Clyde graduate Brady Wilson is among seven stories in the Michael K. Bosi series. The Bosi series recognizes outstanding career or season achievement for high school athletes. The award is named for the late News-Messenger sports writer who died in 1997 at age 23 from cardiac complications because of Marfan Syndrome.
Clyde's Brady Wilson was running out of time, and he was anxious about it.
He eliminated the nerves by working hard enough to forget they were there. He earned a regional crown in the 300-meter hurdles, before brushing off any pressure to win a state crown this year.
He almost dropped sports completely in middle school because he didn't play much. His freshman basketball coaches for the Fliers helped him leave all doubts behind.
"I remember as a middle schooler not wanting to play sports any more," he said. "If not for my mom and dad pushing me because I had potential they saw and I didn't, helped me. I lacked confidence through middle school.
"Freshman basketball, I broke my ankle and my hand during football. Freshman coaches [Ryan] Webb and [Tyler] Meyers ... Kaiden [Olson] and Jaden [Cook] led the team. They were always athletes. They were up at JV.
"They saw something in me and brought it out of me. I'd never played point guard. I didn't play much basketball as a middle schooler."
Wilson earned a state championship in the 300 hurdles at 37.45 seconds.
"I found another gear from what I had in any of my sports," he said. "I always pushed myself to be the best athlete I could. To go out as a state champ you have to train different. I was motivated I could go out as a state champ.
"There were a lot of nerves [for the final]. It was the biggest stage I've run on, great competition. I was the most nervous I've ever been. I got my mind off the pressure and my coaches kept me calm and my mind right.
"I had the best mindset possible for that race. That was a goal I set as a seventh-grader. I didn't want to disappoint my seventh-grade self."
Wilson received a letter from Jared Martin the day before he left for Columbus. Martin won a state crown for Clyde in the hurdles.
Martin told Wilson his time is now. That everything he's worked for is right at his feet.
"Someone needs to be a state champ and dethrone me," Martin told Wilson. "'The final 150 meters needs to be the hardest I ever ran.' A Clyde legend telling me that gave me extra motivation."
The 300 was icing on the cake for his high school athletic career. It established a program record.
"It's something I'll always remember and always cherish," Wilson said. "Knowing it was my last race, one last shot with everything I had helped drop my times. All the support from my friends, family and coaches in this journey.
"From freshman year to my final race was a journey. The highs and lows with everything with COVID. It was a long journey. Going out on top as a state track champ is a huge honor, especially my last race as a Clyde Flier.
"I couldn't have done it without my friends, family, teammates and coaches pushing me.""
Wilson's father, Aaron Wilson, played on Clyde's state runner-up football team as a senior in 1994.
"A lot of people say that," Wilson said of dads being mentors. "He played the same position. He played college football. Trying to follow in his footsteps and improve his legacy as a Clyde Flier pushed me. He pushed me to be better [than him]."
Wilson was third in the 110 hurdles in a personal best 14.42 at state.
"I wasn't as confident, but I don't go in not thinking I'd get first," he said. "That wasn't the focus, I had the best shot at winning the 300. I soaked in the 110 to get ready. I gave it my best shot."
He was fourth in the 110 hurdles and fifth in the 300 at state as a junior.
He continues as an athlete in a sport other than track. He'll play football at Baldwin Wallace.
In reality, he hasn't closed the door on balancing track as well. He was first-team in the Sandusky Bay Conference Lake Division at receiver and defensive back his final two years.
"Beating Bellevue for the SBC championship my senior year," he said of earning a share of the crown with the rival. "I remember everyone playing their role and doing everything the right way. We deserved to come out on top."
Wilson played in the North-South Game. He started on offense and had four or five catches in a 14-7 loss.
"Knowing that every person in the state had a chance to get on that team and I was selected with the best players in Ohio," he said.
He had 44 catches and four touchdowns as a junior. He intercepted four passes on defense.
He had 50 receptions and five touchdowns as a senior. He returned one of three interceptions for a score.
"Hitting the weight room to get stronger and faster," he said. "I grew into my body."
He played special teams as a sophomore. He suffered multiple injuries during football as a freshman.
He returned to health just in time for a rebirth of sorts. Suddenly, he was boosted by his role expanding from limited use to leadership scruples.
"They put the whole offense on me," he said of Webb and Meyers. "Knowing my coaches and teammates believed in me and realized what I could accomplish. I wasn't the most skilled, but knowing [Olson and Cook] helped develop me and believed in me when I don't think many did."
He played three years of varsity basketball. He averaged 9.4 points and 5.2 rebounds as a junior.
He averaged 9.8 points, including 40% shooting on 3-pointers last season.
"My senior year as a whole," he said of his basketball highlight. "My senior class was close. Eleven of us stuck it out. From seventh-grade to senior is a long time, a tough journey. You lose players. We didn't lose players."
Winning a regional crown was the perfect scenario for Wilson's story arc.
"It made me a little more confident, but there was more pressure with the biggest target on my back," he said. "Going to state last year helped, the atmosphere and nerves. Going to Jesse Owens and giving it my best.
"I had a different mentality the last week. That was the hardest I've trained or prepared for anything in my life."
mhorn@gannett.com
419-307-4892
Twitter: @MatthewHornNH
This article originally appeared on Fremont News-Messenger: Michael K. Bosi: Clyde's Wilson ready for next-level jump, at receiver
