Bayside Wrestling's Resilient Rise: Coach Clay Folsom Reflects on a Grit-Packed 2025 Season
The 2025 winter wrestling season was a year of growth, grit, and groundbreaking moments for Bayside High School’s boys wrestling team. Under the new leadership of Head Coach Clay Folsom, the program didn’t just hold the line—it broke new ground, with state-level performances, dramatic team victories, and the emergence of a new generation of leaders.
Coach Folsom came into the season with no illusions. Inheriting a young team and a new coaching staff, expectations were uncertain. What unfolded, however, was a campaign filled with heart-stopping highlights, emotional victories, and tangible progress that has laid the foundation for a bright future at Bayside.
Key Contributors: Leading on the Mat and in the Room
The heart of any successful wrestling program lies in its competitors, and this year Bayside was anchored by two standouts: Gary Bradley (190 lbs) and Justice Hield (175 lbs).
Bradley, a three-time state qualifier, made school history by becoming Bayside’s first state placer since 2016, a monumental achievement that energized the entire program. Justice Hield was equally critical, showing grit and determination throughout the season. Despite battling tough competition, he emerged as a regional runner-up and finished top 12 in the state, solidifying his role as both competitor and team inspiration.
“These two seniors taught the younger kids what it means to be a leader,” Folsom shared. “Their impact went beyond just points on the board—they left a legacy.”
A Season of Surprises and Growth
Coach Folsom didn’t know exactly what to expect when he stepped into the Bayside wrestling room. What he found was a team ready to fight and grow. “I was very surprised to see how well we did,” he said. “We had a very young team, but also some good bones in the program and a lot of support.”
Despite the inexperience, the team bonded quickly, developed under new guidance, and steadily improved throughout the season. What could have been a rebuilding year turned into a revitalization of Bayside Wrestling, with clear signs that something special is brewing.
Electric Moments: When Heart Triumphed Over Odds
One of the most memorable moments of the season came during a dual meet when Bayside was still searching for its first win. The team trailed by four points heading into the final match. Their only hope? A pin from a wrestler with an 0-15 record, a student who had never wrestled before this season.
“The kids didn’t care about the record—they were cheering louder than ever,” Folsom recalled. “Somehow this kid got lucky, rolled the opponent through, and stuck him to the mat. The whole gym exploded. It was incredible.”
Moments like that—where belief overrides doubt—are what define a season. That pin didn’t just seal a dual meet; it crystallized the kind of culture Coach Folsom is working to build: passionate, united, and fearless.
Rising Leaders: Development Through Adversity
Wrestling seasons are often won in the trenches, far from the spotlight, and Bayside had no shortage of wrestlers who stepped up. Two upperclassmen in particular, Kylen Oye (215 lbs) and Wyatt Perhealth (285 lbs), embraced leadership roles as the season unfolded.
“These two grew into massive roles as leaders and athletes,” Folsom noted. “They were teaching younger kids, being amazing role models, and showing what accountability and heart look like.”
Though both Oye and Perhealth suffered heartbreaking losses at regionals, they’ve already set their sights on redemption. Their response to adversity is what excites Folsom most: “They’re ready for a great senior season.”
Building a Culture: Leadership, Resilience, and Respect
For Coach Folsom, success is not just measured in wins but in the integrity of the program. He’s focused on instilling a culture of leadership, effort, and resilience—and the results are showing.
“The seniors this year were huge for us. They set the tone, brought energy, and passed on key lessons to the underclassmen,” Folsom said. “This next group is ready to take the baton and run with it.”
As younger wrestlers watched their older teammates perform with poise and heart, they also learned what it takes to compete—and win—at a high level.
Looking Ahead: A Foundation for the Future
If this season was about rebuilding, the next will be about rising. Coach Folsom is excited about the foundation that’s been laid and the potential that lies ahead. “We have a good, solid core coming back, and I’m pumped to see what this next senior class can do,” he said. “They are going to define what Bayside Wrestling means moving forward.”
In a sport where experience matters, the returning roster now includes battle-tested wrestlers who’ve felt the sting of tough losses and the joy of big wins. That kind of experience is priceless as the team prepares for next winter.
Offseason Goals: More Mat Time, More Growth
As with any successful wrestling program, the offseason will be critical. For Bayside, that means increasing mat time and sharpening skills. The school has recently launched an AAU wrestling club, giving athletes more opportunities to train and compete in the offseason.
“With a young team, the best thing we can do is get them on the mat as much as possible,” Folsom explained. “That’s how we’re going to be ready next year—by putting in the time now.”
The focus will be on technical development, conditioning, and continuing to build a culture that prioritizes hard work and team-first mentality.
Final Thoughts: A Program Reignited
The 2025 Bayside High School wrestling season was about more than wins or state medals. It was about resilience, unity, and believing in what’s possible. From unexpected pins to breakthrough performances on the state stage, the team proved that heart can move mountains—even for a young squad under new leadership.
Coach Folsom is proud of what the team accomplished—and even more excited for what lies ahead. “We’ve got a long way to go, but we’re headed in the right direction,” he said.
With a strong returning core, passionate leadership, and a new offseason structure in place, Bayside Wrestling is back—and it’s building something big.
For updates and stats on Bayside Wrestling, stay tuned to school announcements and upcoming AAU event results. The journey has just begun.
 and Justice Hield (175 lbs).
Bradley, a three-time state qualifier, made school history by becoming Bayside’s first state placer since 2016, a monumental achievement that energized the entire program. Justice Hield was equally critical, showing grit and determination throughout the season. Despite battling tough competition, he emerged as a regional runner-up and finished top 12 in the state, solidifying his role as both competitor and team inspiration.
“These two seniors taught the younger kids what it means to be a leader,” Folsom shared. “Their impact went beyond just points on the board—they left a legacy.”
A Season of Surprises and Growth
Coach Folsom didn’t know exactly what to expect when he stepped into the Bayside wrestling room. What he found was a team ready to fight and grow. “I was very surprised to see how well we did,” he said. “We had a very young team, but also some good bones in the program and a lot of support.”
Despite the inexperience, the team bonded quickly, developed under new guidance, and steadily improved throughout the season. What could have been a rebuilding year turned into a revitalization of Bayside Wrestling, with clear signs that something special is brewing.
Electric Moments: When Heart Triumphed Over Odds
One of the most memorable moments of the season came during a dual meet when Bayside was still searching for its first win. The team trailed by four points heading into the final match. Their only hope? A pin from a wrestler with an 0-15 record, a student who had never wrestled before this season.
“The kids didn’t care about the record—they were cheering louder than ever,” Folsom recalled. “Somehow this kid got lucky, rolled the opponent through, and stuck him to the mat. The whole gym exploded. It was incredible.”
Moments like that—where belief overrides doubt—are what define a season. That pin didn’t just seal a dual meet; it crystallized the kind of culture Coach Folsom is working to build: passionate, united, and fearless.
Rising Leaders: Development Through Adversity
Wrestling seasons are often won in the trenches, far from the spotlight, and Bayside had no shortage of wrestlers who stepped up. Two upperclassmen in particular, Kylen Oye (215 lbs) and Wyatt Perhealth (285 lbs), embraced leadership roles as the season unfolded.
“These two grew into massive roles as leaders and athletes,” Folsom noted. “They were teaching younger kids, being amazing role models, and showing what accountability and heart look like.”
Though both Oye and Perhealth suffered heartbreaking losses at regionals, they’ve already set their sights on redemption. Their response to adversity is what excites Folsom most: “They’re ready for a great senior season.”
Building a Culture: Leadership, Resilience, and Respect
For Coach Folsom, success is not just measured in wins but in the integrity of the program. He’s focused on instilling a culture of leadership, effort, and resilience—and the results are showing.
“The seniors this year were huge for us. They set the tone, brought energy, and passed on key lessons to the underclassmen,” Folsom said. “This next group is ready to take the baton and run with it.”
As younger wrestlers watched their older teammates perform with poise and heart, they also learned what it takes to compete—and win—at a high level.
Looking Ahead: A Foundation for the Future
If this season was about rebuilding, the next will be about rising. Coach Folsom is excited about the foundation that’s been laid and the potential that lies ahead. “We have a good, solid core coming back, and I’m pumped to see what this next senior class can do,” he said. “They are going to define what Bayside Wrestling means moving forward.”
In a sport where experience matters, the returning roster now includes battle-tested wrestlers who’ve felt the sting of tough losses and the joy of big wins. That kind of experience is priceless as the team prepares for next winter.
Offseason Goals: More Mat Time, More Growth
As with any successful wrestling program, the offseason will be critical. For Bayside, that means increasing mat time and sharpening skills. The school has recently launched an AAU wrestling club, giving athletes more opportunities to train and compete in the offseason.
“With a young team, the best thing we can do is get them on the mat as much as possible,” Folsom explained. “That’s how we’re going to be ready next year—by putting in the time now.”
The focus will be on technical development, conditioning, and continuing to build a culture that prioritizes hard work and team-first mentality.
Final Thoughts: A Program Reignited
The 2025 Bayside High School wrestling season was about more than wins or state medals. It was about resilience, unity, and believing in what’s possible. From unexpected pins to breakthrough performances on the state stage, the team proved that heart can move mountains—even for a young squad under new leadership.
Coach Folsom is proud of what the team accomplished—and even more excited for what lies ahead. “We’ve got a long way to go, but we’re headed in the right direction,” he said.
With a strong returning core, passionate leadership, and a new offseason structure in place, Bayside Wrestling is back—and it’s building something big.
For updates and stats on Bayside Wrestling, stay tuned to school announcements and upcoming AAU event results. The journey has just begun.)
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