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The yell of "Yeah!", as Logan Brown watched the clock tick zero at the finals of the state wrestling tournament in Columbus, was a burst of emotion from accomplishing a goal he set a year ago.
"I wasn't going to lose," said Brown after accomplishing something no other Covington wrestler was able to do. "I wasn't going to accept anything less than a state championship."
Brown, who finished third in 2005 after falling to two-time state champion Spencer Dye of Sandusky St, Mary's, became the first Covington wrestler to win a state title with a dominating 9-2 victory over Jeremy Stevens of Ashland Crestview in the finals. The Covington senior capped a 52-0 season and a two-year record of 102-1.
"It's an awesome feeling to be the first state champion in school history," described Brown. "I can't even describe how good this feels."
The wait for Logan's big moment seemed to last for an eternity as there was the Parade of Champions ceremony prior to the competition and then the long wait for the matches in each weight class to become complete.
"I just stayed focused (while waiting)," said Brown. "In the warm-up room Stevens was warming up behind me and we made eye contact a few times, but nothing serious. We waited in the bullpen for about ten minutes before we came into the arena. All I did was focus on what I had to do."
Finally, at exactly 8:00 pm Logan and Stevens took to the mat and the waiting was over.
The whistle blew and Logan immediately scored on his patented double-leg just 10 seconds into the match for a 2-0 lead.
"I just wanted to take it to him and let him know he couldn't stop me," Brown said. "I knew if I could get a few takedowns on him that I would be in his head."
After letting Stevens up for an escape point, Brown took Stevens down two more times with his double-leg to build a 6-1 lead as he chose the neutral position to start the second period.
The lead remained 6-1 until the end of the second as Brown was in the down position to start the third. On the whistle, Brown powered his way up and out of Steven's grasp for an escape and a 7-1 lead.
"Stevens is a real strong wrestler on top," said Brown. "I knew he wanted to get his legs wrapped in and I had to get away as fast as possible. Once I stood up and got hand control, I was able to get away."
With his state title at the tip of his fingers, Brown recorded one more double-leg takedown for good measure to take a 9-1 lead. He then road out his frustrated opponent until the final second of the match as Stevens was given an escape point at the end to make the final score 9-2.
As the clock ticked to zero, Logan pumped his fist in the air and released all of the emotion that was bottled up over the past year. While his hand was being raised by the referee as the winner, Logan pointed up at various sections of the crowd where Covington fans were located.
He then shook the hand of his defeated opponent's coach and headed straight for coach Tom Barbee. Logan lifted Barbee high in the air for the Covington crowd to give their praise.
"I'm so happy I was able to do this for coach Barbee," said Brown. "He has been waiting for a state champion a lot longer than I have. To give this to him makes it so much sweeter. He's been there for me, not only as a coach, but as a friend."
After his moment with his coach, Brown headed straight for his parents, where all of the tears of joy came out in an emotional embrace. Logan then made his way through the crowd hugging his girlfriend and Mike Jennings.
"I just love my parents so much," Brown explained. "They mean the world to me. Also, I love Jeni and Mike too. Mike has pushed me hard in practice. Mike Stephen too. I wish he could have been here, but he has more important things to tend to right now. I just want to thank Mike Stephen and Mike Jennings for beating my butt in practice every day and making me better. Without them this would have never happened."
It was a history making year for Brown, all the way around. He rewrote the Covington record books and accomplished something that has never been done. He captured a state championship and all along the way he had a big bulls-eye on his back.
For his historic accomplishment, Logan Brown is our Athlete of the Week.
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