Senior wins 2nd state title in wrestling, though he doesn't like the sport

Branden Johnson won the heavyweight crown both years.

Dixie Heights senior Branden Johnson is a fantastic wrestler.

He recently captured his second straight Kentucky state title. His coach and teammates attribute his success to his willingness to give 100 percent every time he steps on the mat.

But there’s one thing that separates the 17-year-old Crestview Hills resident from other athletes who dominate in his sport.

"I don't really like wrestling that much at all," said the 6-foot-3, 295-pound teenager. He started wrestling when he was 6. "My parents like to watch me wrestle. They wanted to be able to watch me one last time."

More at WCPO
http://www.wcpo.com/news/region-northern-kentucky/branden-johnson-star-dixie-heights-wrestler-shines-despite-mixed-feelings-about-sport
Johnson won the Kentucky High School Athletic Association’s heavyweight championship March 11 in Lexington. It took less than a minute for Johnson to bring down his final opponent, get the pin and defend his state crown.

Overall, he had five pins and took home the award for won Most Pins in Least Total Time (six minutes, 16 seconds) during the state meet.

He earned the same honor last year, pinning each of his last four opponents all in under a minute to claim the title in the 285-pound weight class.

But despite his dominance on the mat, his real passion is football. The lineman prospect is going to play college football at Austin Peay next season.

"I like the fact that they're trying to prove something. Austin Peay has something to prove and all of the players think that, too," he said.

Johnson is also a great track-and-field athlete. Last spring he finished third in the shot put and 11th in the discus at the state finals. If he decides to compete again this season he'll likely be one of the favorites.

His dad, Jerich Cundiff, said he doesn’t care if his is a great wrestler or a standout football prospect. He’s just happy he turned out to be great, well-rounded kid.

"We're proud of him whether he wrestled, whether he didn't,” Cundiff said. "He's an honor student with National Honor Society, and he also placed in track and field, in wrestling and football."

Still, Cundiff thinks deep down his son has a real soft spot in his heart for wrestling.

"I don't know that you continue to wrestle from the age of 6 to 17 if you don't secretly like the sport a little," he said.
◂
WCPO - 9 On Your Side brings you the latest trusted news and information for the greater Cincinnati Tri-State area, including Northern Kentucky and Indiana.

WCPO Channel 9 News brings you breaking news alerts, weather, traffic, streaming video and in-depth coverage of topics important to you and your community.

For more download the WCPO mobile app:

iPhone: http://bit.ly/iOS-wcpo
Android: http://bit.ly/wcpo-android

Видео Senior wins 2nd state title in wrestling, though he doesn't like the sport канала WCPO 9