Rex Bryson is going a long way.

The Centralia senior is going literally and figuratively far into his wrestling career as he signed with the University of Buffalo during a ceremony on Dec. 4 in the Centralia High School gym. Bryson won a state championship last season at 165 pounds, he has finished second and third at state, and he picked up his 100th career win during his junior season.

Bryson said his college search kept him east with the University of Virginia and Navy — also Division I schools — among his other suitors. The biology major said he was willing to go far away to find the best opportunities for him.

“It was the place to check all the boxes,” Bryson said. “I visited three other schools, and they all had the pros and cons, but Buffalo just edged everybody out when it came to just about every aspect. I love the coaching staff, and I love the program. It’s a new system with new coaches, and it felt like the right place for me.”

Buffalo has had five national qualifiers in the past four years while competing in the Mid-American Conference. 

Bryson said he has worked on improving his craft beyond high school at Purler Wrestling Academy. He said he has had good coaches, including at Centralia when the Panthers have earned two state championships and a third-place trophy during his four years. 

“Lots of people provided me with opportunities,” Bryson said. “I jumped on those opportunities and did what I could with them. I’ve had a lot of people get me to where I’m at today. I ended up being fortunate enough to be here.”

Centralia head coach Luke Gramke said Bryson has been a “fierce competitor” and a leader since he stepped into the school's wrestling room.

“To say that I am proud of him is a significant understatement,” Gramke said. “He has brought tremendous positivity to our program, consistently modeling what it means to work hard, uplift teammates, and compete with integrity.”

Bryson has the high-profile body of work he plans on adding to this season, but Gramke said Bryson has battled through adversity while at Centralia. For example, Bryson has won awards in multiple seasons as a football player but sustained a leg injury during his junior season. He went on to win a state championship in the winter. 

His wrestling journey has included facing the toughest of competition as well. He has faced the best in Missouri at state but also in the country at national competitions. For example, Bryson has placed third in national competition at the National High School Coaches Association Wrestling Nationals tournament and second at the Missouri USA state championships.

“His mental toughness and resiliency have been essential to his development,” Gramke said. “He seeks out the best competition, embraces challenges, and is constantly striving to improve. That internal drive and willingness to put in the work have propelled him to where he is today.”

Bryson said he has tried to advance his development on the mat with every team he has joined. He plans to do that when he gets to Buffalo. 

“I’ve made big jumps along the way,” Bryson said. “When I joined Purler Wrestling and made a big jump, when I got to high school with a new coaching staff and made a huge jump my freshman year. It’s the big jumps with little steps in between that really got me all this.”