By in Biography & Personal Stories —

Beyond the Mat: The Wrestler Who Fought a Grizzly to Save His Friend

In October 2022, college wrestler Brady Lowry was mauled by a grizzly in Wyoming's wilderness. His teammate, Kendell Cummings, made the split-second decision to intervene, physically pulling the bear off his friend and fighting it himself. His act of courage saved both their lives.

The bond forged between teammates, especially in a demanding sport like wrestling, is often described as a brotherhood. It’s built on shared sacrifice, mutual respect, and the understanding that you have each other’s backs. For two young men from Northwest College in Powell, Wyoming, that bond was put to the ultimate test not on the mat, but in the unforgiving wilderness of the Shoshone National Forest. Their story is a chilling, inspiring account of what happens when instinct, training, and courage collide with the raw power of nature.

An Afternoon Turned Nightmare

It was a clear autumn afternoon in October 2022. Four teammates from the Northwest College wrestling team—Kendell Cummings, Brady Lowry, August Harrison, and Orrin Jackson—were taking advantage of a break in their schedule to go shed hunting. It’s a popular pastime in the Rockies, searching for antlers dropped by elk and deer. They were deep in the forest, moving through thick timber and brush, when the idyllic day took a horrifying turn. Without warning, a grizzly bear burst from the foliage and charged, ambushing Brady Lowry.

The attack was sudden and brutal. The bear latched onto Lowry’s arm, shaking him violently and breaking the bone instantly. For most people, the sight of a full-grown grizzly mauling a friend would trigger a flight response. But Kendell Cummings was not most people.

A Hero's Instinct

While his other two friends scrambled to find help or a weapon, Cummings ran toward the chaos. He didn't hesitate. He started screaming, threw things at the bear, and even gave it a hard kick. When that didn't work, he did the unthinkable: he grabbed the massive animal and tried to pull it off his friend. This selfless act of bravery likely saved Lowry's life, but it came at a tremendous cost. The grizzly released the bleeding Lowry and turned its full fury on Cummings.

I didn't want to lose my friend. He was going to help me with my car later that day, and that's what I was thinking about. It was life or death. I had to make a choice.

The bear overpowered Cummings, biting and clawing at his head and body. In interviews later, he described the terrifying sensation of the bear's teeth grinding against his skull. The animal thrashed him around, inflicting deep lacerations across his face, neck, and shoulders. Drawing on survival knowledge, Cummings went limp and played dead. After what must have felt like an eternity, the bear, seemingly believing the threat was neutralized, lumbered away.

The Bond of Survival

Despite his own grievous injuries, including a compound fracture in his arm, Lowry was able to get to his feet and find the other teammates. Together, they made their way back toward the trailhead to call for help, a frantic and painful journey. First responders, including Park County Search and Rescue and the Wyoming Game & Fish Department, were dispatched. Cummings was eventually found, conscious but severely injured, and both men were airlifted to a hospital in Billings, Montana.

Lowry suffered a broken arm and lacerations, while Cummings required 60 staples in his head and extensive plastic surgery on his face. Their physical scars are a permanent reminder of the day, but so is the unbreakable bond they now share. Lowry has repeatedly stated that he owes Cummings his life, a debt that can never truly be repaid.

Their story is more than just a tale of a wild animal attack; it's a profound testament to friendship and the protective instincts forged in the crucible of competitive sports. In a moment of sheer terror, a wrestler saw his teammate in peril and did what he was trained to do: engage the opponent and protect his brother.

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