By Justin Sokeland
WBIW.com
BEDFORD – Very few athletes are willing to climb the concrete stairs on the north end of BNL Fieldhouse, step through the door of the makeshift ‘room’ behind the upper bleachers that Bedford North Lawrence wrestling calls home, and pledge blood or sweat to a sport that demands much of both.
Only a special breed of competitor accepts the physical and mental challenges.
With little returning experience, with no seniors on a short roster, the Stars are a ground-floor operation. The goal is lifting the sport to higher levels. That’s a heavy task for only eight wrestlers and a new head coach.
Zach Coleman, a 2005 Pike Central graduate with an MMA background, takes over the program. His starting point is Square One. Of the possible returning veterans from last year’s sectional lineup, only two are back for this rebuilding process.
”We need more kids,” Coleman said. “It’s the toughest sport, it really is. You have to have the mentality, getting in here and training. Competition is the main thing, you have to love that.
“It’s a very hard sport. Most of the people might leave within a day. Sticking it out brings mental toughness. You can carry that wherever. There’s nothing tougher than wrestling. I just wish there was more love for it.”
BNL’s best will include junior Ian Fish, who went 18-14 last season at 165 pounds, and classmate Reece Ritter, who posted a 12-10 mark at 215. For everyone else, the 2026-27 season will be a step-by-step process, just like the climb up those back stairs to an unknown world.
”We’re keeping it simple, as far as technique and cardio,” Coleman said. “I don’t know how many meets we will win, based on all the forfeits we will have, but we have no seniors. So we will have the same group next year, so it’s perfect to start.”
BNL will begin the season on Monday at Brown County, then host its five-team invitational for the home opener on Nov. 28.
