Jackson Bradley couldn’t move his arms or legs.
It was May of 2025, and Bradley was wrestling at the National High School Duals in Virginia Beach. He had just completed his junior year at Cowan, where he had already become a three-time state finalist and established himself as one of Indiana’s best high school wrestlers.
A knee to the back of his neck knocked him out cold. His T1 and T2 vertebrae were fractured, and he lost movement in his extremities for about 24 hours. Bradley was diagnosed with Central Cord Syndrome, the most common form of incomplete spinal cord injury, and was left temporarily paralyzed. His wrestling career, and future quality of life, were very much in question.
“There was a time where the doctors were letting us know, ‘We’re not exactly sure what his movement’s going to be, let alone being able to compete in any type of sport,'” said Casey Bradley, Jackson’s father and Cowan wrestling coach.
Jackson was determined to wrestle his senior season, though, and began his recovery process as soon as he could. He took his dad’s motto — “Get 1% better every single day” — and applied it to his rehabilitation. With constant advice from doctors and other medical professionals, he gradually rebuilt his strength and mobility, taking his recovery one day at a time just as he did with his training before the injury.
“It kind of just put in perspective that, no matter what in life, anything can be changed in a day, so make sure that you enjoy every single second,” Jackson Bradley said. “That made me go into every single practice just grateful to have practice rather than dreading it or anything like that. It just changed my whole perspective, not just on wrestling but life in general.”
Just seven weeks after the terrifying injury, Jackson Bradley defied all medical expectations and returned to the wrestling mat. He wrestled his full senior season at Cowan, finishing the season with a record of 42-2 and his career with a record of 148-10. He won his third career sectional title, fourth regional title, third semi-state title and became the first Blackhawk in school history to wrestle under the lights of a state championship match, finishing as the state runner-up in the 157-pound weight class.
Now, Jackson Bradley adds The Star Press Male Athlete of the Year to his career accolades. He is both the staff pick and the IU Health Fan Vote winner.
“I don’t think I ever really wrestle for the awards,” he said. “I just wrestle to have fun because if I’m not having fun, there’s no point in really doing it. But the awards are like a nice cherry on top. It’s cool whenever you get recognized after putting in so many years and days and nights and weekends of hard work, they all start to come together.”
Bradley’s perseverance and return from his injury culminated in the IHSAA Foundation awarding him the Thomas A. Brady Comeback Award, a $2,500 scholarship awarded annually to one male and one female student-athlete who “have distinguished themselves by overcoming adversity or injury and returned and excelled beyond expectations in their respective sports.”
As “Coach Dad,” Casey Bradley has been there for every step of Jackson’s wrestling career, from elementary tournaments to Gainbridge Fieldhouse. What impresses Casey the most is Jackson’s devotion to his craft and willingness to take every single opportunity to get better. In fact, Jackson conducted his Athlete of the Year interview over the phone from Fargo, North Dakota, where he was competing in the nation’s premier high school wrestling showcase.
“Obviously, I see stuff at practice and all the hard work he’s putting in there,” Casey Bradley said. “But he’s not a kid that just does it three months out of the year. He’s a kid that lives it every day, 365. Whether it’s waking up and training at 5 in the morning, lifting, going to practice and leaving there to get extra in that night, nutrition, all of it. He lives it all year round, just like he’s competing right now in Fargo at the national tournament.”
Jackson credited his parents, Casey and Audrieanna Bradley, for supporting him throughout his high school wrestling journey. He also credited a young Cowan teammate — sophomore Ashton Goney — for inspiring him with his own perseverance this season. Goney battled through a severe knee injury to become a state finalist alongside Bradley, finishing eighth in the 150-pound weight class.
“Ashton tore everything in his right knee right after Christmas break,” Jackson Bradley said. “Instead of taking the year off, he could’ve easily taken the easy way out, he decided he was going to wrestle left-handed because that gave him the best shot. He placed this year, which I think is the coolest thing, and I always tell people he’s got a way cooler story than I do. Ashton deserves a ton of love.”
Bradley’s illustrious high school career culminated in the accomplishment of his ultimate goal — wrestling collegiately at the Division I level. He committed to Purdue in December and has already moved in to begin his training in West Lafayette. As he exchanges his Cowan black and gold for Purdue black and gold, Bradley will continue to carry the lessons he learned as a Blackhawk.
“Always strive to get better at something,” he said. “Get 1% better every day is what my dad always told me.”
Contact Cade Hampton via email at cbhampton@usatodayco.com or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @CadeHamp10.
This article originally appeared on Muncie Star Press: Cowan’s Jackson Bradley is The Star Press 2025-26 Male Athlete of the Year
Reporting by Cade Hampton, Muncie Star Press / Muncie Star Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Cade Hampton, Muncie Star Press | USA TODAY Network
