LOGAN BROWN...CAREER OF A LEGEND
2006 Covington graduate and state wrestling champion Logan Brown walked on at Purdue University and put together one of the most successful careers in the history of the program. Brown was a four-time NCAA Qualifier and accumulated 109 victories in his collegiate career. Coming out of high school Brown was hoping to be recruited by Ohio State, but the Buckeyes never gave him any consideration. Fittingly, Brown never lost to a Buckeye wrestler throughout his entire collegiate career. Here is a recap of each one of Logan Brown’s appearances in the NCAA Championships.
2008 - FRESHMAN SEASON
MARCH 20, 2008 – ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI
Covington graduate and Purdue freshman Logan Brown opened the 2008 NCAA Wrestling Championships with a hard-fought 6-3 victory over University of Northern Illinois Andrew Anderson (20-9).
After a slow first two minutes, Logan scored on a double-leg takedown to take a 2-0 lead after one period.
Anderson tied the match in the second period on an escape and a penalty point on Brown, but Logan scored two more takedowns to seal the match in the third period.
The victory set up a match with Big Ten Champion and No. 2 ranked Phil Davis of Penn State.
Much like his opening match, Logan started slow as he sized up his opponent. Davis was able to take advantage for a takedown and a 2-0 lead after one period.
The Penn State wrestler increased the lead to 3-0 with an escape to start the second period, but Logan responded with a well executed double-leg takedown to cut the margin to 3-2.
The score remained 3-2 until late in the frame Brown chose neutral to start the third and nearly scored on another double-leg, but Davis managed top scramble and come up with a takedown of his own for 5-2 lead.
Logan managed to escape to cut the lead to 5-3 and forced the action on his feet in an attempt to tie the match.
Again, another Brown shot turned into Davis points as the Penn State wrestler managed to scramble his way out of trouble.
Logan escaped once again and surrendered a final takedown to Davis on another shot attempt to make the final score 9-4.
Next up for Logan was No. 12 ranked Joseph Rovelli of Hofstra, who defeated Indiana’s Joe Fagiano in overtime in consolations.
Logan shot in for a double-leg seconds into the match, but much like Davis did earlier, Rovelli scrambled and managed to come up with the takedown. Rovelli then used his legs to turn Logan for two back points to take a 4-0 lead after one.
The remainder of the match remained the same as Logan attempted three more shot attempts only to come up short in capturing the takedowns. Rovelli was able to capitalize for a major decision to end Logan’s run in the NCAA Championships.
Despite dropping his final two matches, Brown accomplishments in his freshman season at Purdue only sets the tone for the future.
As of Friday night’s results, four of the top five team scores belonged to Big Ten teams. Logan Brown qualified for the NCAA Championships as a freshman while competing in the toughest conference in the country. With twelve of thirty three wrestlers in the 197 pound weight class being seniors, Logan will likely be nationally ranked and favorite to make a return trip next season.
2009 - SOPHOMORE SEASON
MARCH 20, 2009 – ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI
Logan Brown, a 2006 Covington graduate and a sophomore wrestler for Purdue University, cruised through his opening match at the 2009 NCAA Championships with a 5-2 victory over Dan Tulley of Duke.
Brown waisted little time to get rolling as he took control of the match from the outset with a pair of first period takedowns for a 4-1 lead. In the process, Brown secured a significant advantage in riding time.
Tulley chose down to begin the second period and Brown took the match back to the feet as surrendered the escape to make the score 4-2.
The Purdue sophomore kept the pressure on as he attempted two more shots, He failed to gain additional takedown points, but he nearly turned his opponent to his back on the second attempt only to be out of bounds.
With riding time sealed, Brown chose neutral in the third period and fended off two desperate shot attempts by Tulley to secure the 5-2 win.
In the afternoon session of the championship rounds, Logan Brown fell to #2 seed and 2008 NCAA runner-up at 184 lbs. Jake Varner of Iowa State by the score of 11-0.
Brown was aggressive throughout, but never could capitalize on several takedown attempts – each time being warded off by the Iowa State wrestler.
Varner built a 5-0 lead in the opening frame as a failed attempt at a double leg by Brown resulted in the first takedown. Varner then received a penalty point from Brown and scored two back points on a questionable tilt that was protested by the Purdue coaches.
Brown once again pushed the action in the second period, but the score remained 5-0 as neither wrestler could gain an advantage.
But Varner pulled away in the final frame as another failed attempt at a takedown resulted in points for the Cyclone wrestler. Varner scored two more back points with under a minute to go with another tilt and then the final point with riding time.
Logan then saw his quest to become an All-American end in his first consolation match against #5 seed Dallas Herbst of Wisconsin via a first period fall. Herbst fell into the consolation rounds as he was upset in the opening round against Jon Oplinger of Drexel via a 7-5 decision in sudden death.
Brown and Herbst are no strangers to one another as this was the third meeting between the two, all Herbst wins. However, Brown had closed the gap between the two heading into today’s match-up as he fell by a narrow 2-0 margin in their last meeting.
Today, the Purdue sophomore went right after Herbst, scoring on a double-leg takedown in the first ten seconds of the match for a 2-0 lead.
Brown followed by building up 1:23 of riding time as he nearly turned Herbst twice for back points – both time falling one count short.
Looking to reset for a third attempt to work Herbst to his back, Brown was caught in a reversal by the Wisconsin wrestler, who immediately recorded the fall.
Logan concludes his sophomore season with a 30-15 record and as a two-time NCAA Qualifier.
2010 - JUNIOR SEASON
MARCH 19, 2010 – OMAHA, NEBRASKA
Logan Brown, a 2006 graduate of Covington and former Ohio wrestling champion, remained alive in the consolation rounds after the first day of wrestling at the 2010 NCAA DI Wrestling Championships at the Qwest Center Omaha in Omaha, Nebraska.
The junior from Purdue University and three-time NCAA qualifier recorded a 6-2 decision over Richard Starks (26-3) of Army in his opening bout, but fell to #2 ranked Craig Brester of Nebraska, 7-0 in the afternoon session.
Brown will open the second day of the tournament on Friday against Brent Jones of Virginia.
Against Starks, Brown scored a takedown in the final 20 seconds of the first period to take a 2-0 lead and then accumulated 1:33 of riding time in the second period. The Army grappler managed to escape at the end of the frame, making the score 2-1 heading into the third.
Brown chose the down position in the final frame and immediately escaped to increase his margin to 3-1. Seconds later the former Buccaneer scored on another double-leg takedown to push his advantage to 5-1. He also increased his riding time to 1:46 before cutting Starks and surrendering the escape to make the score 5-2.
With riding time secured, Logan controlled the remainder of the match on his feet for the 6-2 win.
Against Brester, Brown started fast and nearly scored on a takedown as he had Brester sprawling off balance across the mat in the opening seconds. He couldn’t capitalize on the opportunity as Brester regained his composure and scored on a takedown of his own.
Brester, a returning finalist from a year ago at 197 pounds, went to work accumulating riding time. Along the way he was able to lock up a tilt on Brown for three back points. And additional penalty point was awarded to Brester as the score was 6-0 heading into the final frame.
Needing a big move to get back into the match, Brown chose neutral to start the third.
The big move never came, however as Brester fought off every shot attempt to hand the Purdue wrestler the loss.
Brown saw his season come to an end in the second day of the NCAA Championships with a 11-2 loss to Brent Jones of Virginia.
Brown ends his junior season with a 33-13 record, 87 career wins and a three-time NCAA Qualifier. He also had 101 takedowns on the season for 15th on the Boilermaker’s single-season record list.
But he wanted to accomplish so much more in his third trip to the NCAA Championships.
“I’m disappointed, for sure,” Logan said. “Maybe I put too much pressure on myself, but I wanted to be an All American this year so bad.”
Needing three consecutive wins to gain All American status, the former Covington standout couldn’t finish shots he normally finishes.
“It’s not an excuse, but maybe I wrestled too many matches this year and my body is worn down,” Brown said. “I could feel it in my arms a little yesterday, but I felt confident that it (the tightness) would loosen up once I started to wrestle.”
Brown wrestled 43 matches heading into the tournament, only sitting out one contest all season. He had the most matches of any of the NCAA Qualifiers at 197 pounds.
“I really felt it today,” he continued. “I got deep on five or six shots (against Jones), but I just couldn’t finish. I didn’t have the strength I normally have.”
The Purdue wrestler went on the offensive from the outset with an attempted single-leg, but Jones managed to scramble out of bounds to prevent the two points.
Brown shot again, this time a double-leg attempt, but Jones scrambled for the takedown and a 2-0 margin on the scoreboard after one period.
The second period began with Brown on top and he surrendered the escape point to take the match back to his feet for a chance at cutting into the slim lead with a takedown. Once again, Jones scrambled to record the takedown and turned the tables with a four-point move as he scored two near fall points to push the margin to 7-1.
From there Brown tried desperately to get back into the match, but each time he was fended off by Jones. The result was another Jones takedown and a penalty point on Logan in the third period.
“Even though I gave up the takedown and the two near fall points (in the first period), I still felt really good because I was getting so deep on my shots,” Brown explained. “I didn’t think he could stop me and 90% of the time when I get that deep I’m able to finish. But today I just didn’t have any strength to turn the corner.”
Despite not meeting his expectations, Brown is still confident he can make a strong run at a fourth trip to the NCAA Championships next year and become an All American. And for good reason as he has beaten ten of the wrestlers in this year’s field.
“I know I can do it (become an All American),” Brown said. “I need to continue to work on refining my technique and maybe take a few matches off next year when I feel my body start wearing down. I’m so competitive that I think I can handle it, but I can see that maybe a little time off here and there will help me come back here (the NCAAs) fresher.”
And hopefully Brown can reach his goals.
2011 - SENIOR SEASON
MARCH 18, 2011 – PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA
Logan Brown closed out his collegiate career at Purdue University as a four-time NCAA Qualifier and with 1009 career wins, ranking him among the elite wrestlers in the history of the program.
2011 NCAA: MATCH-BY-MATCH RECAP
031711 – 2:30PM
Logan Brown dominated his opening bout of the 2011 NCAA Wrestling Championships at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia on Thursday with a 13-4 major decision over Shawn Fendone of Edinboro.
The four-time NCAA qualifier from Purdue wasted little time setting the tone with a takedown on his patented double-leg just 20 seconds into the match.
After two failed attempts to record back points with tilts, Brown surrendered a one-point escape to Fendone and returned the match to the feet. Which didn’t last long as the Edinboro grappler couldn’t stop Brown’s double as Logan recorded a second takedown to make it 4-1 at the end of the first period.
Looking to get back into the match Fendone chose the top position on his choice to begin the second period.
The entire session was spent on the mat as neither wrestler could gain the upper hand, leaving the score 4-1 heading into the third.
Brown had his choice to start the final frame and elected to start from the neutral position. He immediately began racking up points and extended his lead to 12-4 with four straight takedowns.
After his final takedown with just over 40 seconds to go, Brown racked up and extra point of riding time to seal the 13-4 win.
Next up for Logan is a matchup with seventh seed Zac Thomusseit of Pittsburg.
031711 – 8:55PM
It was a case of missed opportunities for Logan Brown as he dropped a heartbreaking 3-2 decision to Pittsburgh’s Zac Thomusseit in the second round of the 2011 NCAA Wrestling Championships Thursday night.
In typical Logan Brown fashion, the Purdue senior was the aggressor through the match – attempting four shots to none by the Pitt wrestler. Unfortunately, Brown wasn’t able to capitalize on any of the four attempts as Thomusseit hung on for the stalemate each time.
After two shot attempts by Brown in the first period, the score went into the second frame knotted at 0-0 and Thomusseit chose bottom to start the second period. Shortly into the frame Thomusseit scrambled to record the reversal and Brown followed with a quick escape to make the score 2-1 heading into the third period.
Brown chose bottom in the third and nearly broke free twice, but ran out a real estate on the mat both times.
This allowed Thomusseit to rack up 1:08 of ride time before Brown was able to tie the score at 2-2 with an escape.
Trying desperately for the winning takedown, Brown pushed the action and nearly scored twice on takedown attempts in the final minute.
But Brown ran out of time and Thomusseit earned the extra point for riding time to claim the 3-2 victory.
Logan is back in action Friday morning in the consolation bracket against the winner of Brent Haynes off Missouri and Nikolas Brown of Chattanooga.
031811 – 2:15PM
The dream of becoming earning all-american status has come to an end for 2006 Covington graduate and senior Purdue wrestler Logan Brown on Friday. The four-time NCAA qualifier dropped a 9-6 decision to Brent Haynes of Missouri, ending his senior season with a 22-9 record.
Early in the contest it appeared as though Brown was well on his way to advancing as he scored two takedowns in the first period for a 4-2 lead – the two points earned by Haynes were on escapes.
The Boilermaker wrestler chose neutral to start the second period, but Haynes surprised Brown with a quick shot and the takedown to tie the score at 4-4, which is where the score stood heading into the deciding third period.
Haynes chose bottom to start the third and Brown elected to allow the escape as riding time wasn’t a factor. The Missouri wrestler converted on a second takedown attempt and then two near fall to push the margin to 9-4.
Brown quickly turned the tide with a reversal to make the score 9-6 and nearly turned Haynes for back points. Unfortunately for Brown, time wasn’t on his side and Haynes held on for the win.
Brown, who won a state championship with a perfect 52-0 record in 2006, his senior season at Covington, closed out his career at Purdue with 109 career wins – just one of just 16 Purdue wrestlers to reach the 100-win plateau. He also is sixth in Purdue history with 335 career takedowns and ranks in the top 20 with 107 career back points.
LB, ALL-WORLD TO THOSE WHO KNOW HIM
What Logan Brown has accomplished in his wrestling career is remarkable considering he came from a the small town of Covington and once had dreams of playing college football at Ohio State.
But after placing third at the state tournament as a junior and finishing his senior season unbeaten at 52-0 and on top of the podium as Covington’s first state champion, Brown selected Purdue University as his college of choice and wrestling as his sport.
Now, five years later after redshirting his first year, Brown concluded his career as a four-time NCAA qualifier and one of just sixteen Purdue wrestlers to record at least 100 wins. He also ranks sixth at Purdue with 335 career takedowns and sits in the top 20 with 107 career back points.
“We’re very proud of Logan,” said Covington High School wrestling coach Tom Barbee, who has made the trip to the NCAA Championships each year to watch Brown compete. “Not only for what he accomplished in wrestling, but because he was so focused, got his degree and has a job lined up.”
Thinking back to when Brown came to Barbee a freshman in high school in 2003, Logan was just a strong kid who was rough around the edges in regards to wrestling technique. But Barbee and his staff taught and Logan listened, ultimately becoming a dominant wrestler and a Big Ten recruit.
“Logan has always taken to coaching and that didn’t change when he went to Purdue,” Barbee continued. “Just they way he is, he’s done everything you could ask. He represented himself, Covington and Purdue very well.”
It all concluded at the 2011 NCAA Championships in Philadelphia with a disappointing loss to Brent Haynes of Missouri. And Brown isn’t quiet ready to reflect on what he’s accomplished.
“I’m disappointed,” Brown said. “Obviously my goal was to be an All-American. But one day I guess I’ll look back on everything I accomplished and feel pretty good about it.”
When he does look back, Brown will realize he competed and beat some of the best wrestlers in the nation. He has a win via pin over the 2010 NCAA Champion Max Askren of Missouri and has beaten several All-Americans as well. He has lost to NCAA Champions Jake Varner of Iowa State and Phil Davis of Penn State, as well as NCAA Runner-up Craig Brester of Nebraska.
“That’s why you compete, to wrestle the best,” said Brown. “Not too many guys can say they competed at this level.”
While competing at the highest level of collegiate wrestling, Brown has been labeled as a dirty wrestler by some collegiate coaches and fans. He’s been ridiculed on wrestling forums and message boards after physical matches with the likes of Dustin Kilgore of Kent State and Matt Powless of Indiana.
But he takes it all in stride.
“You know, I never worry about what other people think, especially people who don’t know me,” Brown said. “When you wrestle at this level you have to be aggressive and never back down. That’s always been my style. I respect all the guys I wrestled because you have to have a certain amount of toughness to be here. I can always say I gave it my best, win or lose.”
After dropping out of the tournament, Brown was pulling for Dustin Kilgore, even though they had a heated match earlier in the season that resulted in bad blood between fans of each program. Kilgore stamped his ticket into the finals by knocking off top seed Cam Simaz of Cornell, another wrestler Brown has beaten previously.
“Absolutely, I’d love to see Kilgore win it,” Brown said. “He’s a great wrestler and an Ohio guy. I’m glad I was able to wrestle him because you always want to test yourself against the best wrestlers out there and he’s one them.”
Logan has wrestled the best and his mother Karen even has compiled a scrapbook to prove it. It’s complete with video, photos, programs and newspaper articles – all since he was a youngster in youth wrestling and football at Covington.
“My parents have been great,” said Logan. “There were a lot of road trips, all those talks on the phone and just a lot of love and support. My mom keeps everything and I’m very thankful for all she’s done for me. I wouldn’t be where I am without my mom and dad.”
Perhaps the biggest gift Logan’s parents gave him was instilling the importance of giving back to others. Logan has never forgotten where he came from and has given his time freely whenever he can – even if it means sitting down with the Covington Elementary students to sign free autographs or speaking at the PLUS Overnighter.
Logan even went out of his way to gather a large group of his teammates to buy Kool-Aid from some youngsters who were selling along a sidewalk in West Lafayette.
“That’s the way I was raised,” Logan explained. “I love to be around kids and if I can have an affect on just one kid it’s all worth it. I’d give my shirt off my back for them.”
Two Covington youths were fortunate enough to make the trip to watch Logan in action over the weekend, Branden Robinson and Josh Sowers.
“Look at Branden and Josh,” continued Brown. “I’d do anything for them and who knows, someday they might be here (at NCAAs) wrestling. If that happens I’d like to think that maybe I helped pave the way a little bit. That would be sweet.”
Brown has already paved the way in a sense for Covington wrestlers as he became the first to wrestle at the Division I collegiate level. Next year Andrew DeHart will take his talents to Duke as a four-time state placer and others may follow, like sophomore Kyler Deeter, who took fourth at state this past season.
“I’m so happy for those guys (DeHart and Deeter),” said Logan. “DeHart’s really done well and hopefully he can get here (to the NCAA Championships). Kyler’s got what it takes too. I talk to him and his grandpa a good bit and I’ll help him any way I can.”
As for Logan, he already has a job lined up after he graduates, but is uncertain about what he’ll do to satisfy that competitive hunger now that his wrestling career is behind him. He’s even talked about doing a little MMA fighting.
“I might give it (MMA) a try,” he smiled. “Luke (Manuel) and I were talking about it and we have a guy who’s trying to set up a small amateur match for us. I don’t know if I’ll get too serious about it though. One thing I do know, I’m going to do a lot of fishing.”
Regardless of what the future holds, Logan can look back with pride on what he’s done on and off the mat – not only at Purdue University, but at Covington High School.
And when he does he’ll realize he may not be All-American – he’s All-World to the people who know him.