It’s not the first time brothers have wrestled on the same high school wrestling program. In fact, Bridgeport High School currently has two sets of brothers on their squad.

 

It is, however, not a common occurrence. Even rarer is that the brothers in question are both doing more than well as the records of Austin and Aidan Gibson along with Kavaughn and Kemo Summers prove.

 

“I don’t know off hand how common two sets of siblings are on the same team are,” said Coach Chris Courtney. “Based on my experience with the Gibson’s and Summers’, I will take more. All four of those guys are winners and make each other and those around them better.”

 

While not downplaying what Kavaughn and Kemo are to the program because both have championship pedigree, what is a third very rare thing is that Aidan and Austin Gibson both have passed the 100-win mark. And what’s rare is they’ve done it in the same season.

 

Older brother Austin, the senior, did it earlier this year. Younger brother Aidan, the junior, did the trick at the recent Mountaineer Match Up meet at the Nathan Goff Armory.

 

It doesn’t hurt that both have the skill needed to do it. It doesn’t hurt that both have the work ethic required to make that happen. And Courtney said it certainly doesn’t hurt that the two are siblings.

 

Courtney comes from an extended wrestling family and a successful one at that. He knows the advantages of what comes with that and has seen a lot in the Gibson brothers he witnessed in his own household.

 

“Siblings have the same interest and are inherently competitive with each other growing up. When they apply that to a common sport it amplifies,” said Courtney. “I have seen those two come to blows in the wrestling room. I like it. It reminds me of my brothers. I know we settled our difference in the basement wrestling mat.”

 

Courtney wasn’t exaggerating. Both brothers admitted to going at it full tilt in the Bridgeport wrestling room at the Wayne Jamison Field Fieldhouse.    

 

“Sometimes in practice, he’ll get mad at me and we’ll go at it,” said Aidan. “Coach Courtney really likes that high level of competition.”

 

The older brother said it’s not unusual to go at it with Aidan.

 

“Whenever we get to wrestle, I try to go as hard as I can on him whether we’re mad or working on wrestling,” said Austin. “Some people watch and know it is brother against brother and that’s fine, but we’re wrestling. When it’s over, we’re brothers again.”

 

Pretty successful brothers.

 

In mid-December, Austin Gibson won the 160-pound division at the Superior Photo Wrestling Tournament at University High School in Morgantown. He also picked up his 100^th win in his career.

 

“When I first got it, I was pretty excited. I really didn’t know at first, but when my dad told me it. It was a big deal, but still focused on moving ahead to bigger goals than 100 wins,” said Austin.

 

Aidan cracked the 100-win plateau a month later. His reaction was pretty much the same.

 

“I was pretty excited because I always wanted to reach that mark since I was little even though there are bigger wins I’d like to get this year,” said Aidan. “The only reason I was able to get there was through good coaching, good teammates, plenty of encouragement and working hard.”

 

He’s got a lot of encouragement from one really good teammate in Austin. Aidan said he has counted on him since they both began youth wrestling in Taylor County when they were both under eight years old.

 

“I’ve always looked up to my brother since we started in youth. I’ve always tried to be better that him, but he’s such as good wrestler. It’s a benefit to have that type of person with you all the time to learn from,” said Aidan.

 

Austin wouldn’t have it any other way. He said the support, however, is a two-way street.

 

“We’ve been wrestling together since we were kids and we both support each other,” said Austin. “When he walks off the mat I’m there to support him and when I come off the mat he’s there to support me.”

 

Austin Gibson would like to have the chance to be there next year when his brother has a shot at doing something really impressive. Whether he’ll be able to as the result of being a college student remains to be seen.

 

Recently, Aidan Gibson – who was above the 40-win mark before two meets this past week – found out from Austin he had a shot to do something unique. In fact, he has a chance to do something no other Bridgeport wrestler has ever done.

 

“My brother told me a few meets ago that the school record for wins is 153. If I keep progressing I have a shot at it,” said Aidan. “That would be something.”

 

Austin thinks it’s going to happen.

 

“He’s within range and I’d be pretty excited for him. I’d love to be there when it happens because it would be a pretty big moment for us,” the older brother said.

 

The support, being brothers and the 100 wins aren’t the only thing the two have in common. They have one familiar goal.

 

“I think I’m capable to win the states this year I have to push the pace and wrestle and get in my head that there’s more to wrestling than just the physical aspect of it,” said Aidan, who is wrestling at 145 this year. “I get mad at myself and put pressure on myself. I lose and carry that weight and take it over into the next match. I have to get better at that and, if so, I think I can make noise at the state meet.”

 

For Aidan, Courtney said getting the mental game squared away is key. The rest is already in place.

 

“He is naturally athletic and quick.  I tell Aidan many time he doesn’t know how talented he is,” said Courtney.

 

Austin thinks he’s got a shot to compete for a state title as well.

 

“I just need to stay focused on what my coach is telling me and teaching,” he said. “I need to keep pushing the pace in my matches and I think I can compete with anyone.”

 

Courtney said what makes Austin good is his competitive streak.

 

“He is scrappy and keeps pushing the pace of the match,” said Courtney. “He will battle for 6 minutes with anyone.”

 

Those battles for Austin Gibson are about to come to an end on the high school level, although he’s not opposed to continuing the sport in college. For Aidan, the battles are winding down as his junior year nears an end. Whether it ends standing at the top of the victory platform in the Big Sandy Superstore Arena in Charleston remains to be seen.

 

“It won’t be long and we will know. The postseason is almost here. They are ready,” said Courtney. “I can’t wait to see them make their run.”

 

Editor's Note: Top photo, submitted by Jason Gibson, shows Austin, left, and Aidan at a regular season meet. Second and fourth photos are of Aidan Gibson competing, while Austin Gibson is shown in the third and fifth photos representing BHS. Bottom four photos by Jodi Muller.