Unmatched: Prep Wrestling's Epic Chronicle

by Brady Buck

For over six decades, Colorado wrestling history had never seen anything quite like Tom Clum in 2001. Hundreds of thousands of Colorado high school wrestlers came before him, but none had ever challenged the historic feat that Clum was about to the undefeated, four-time state champion prep wrestling career. Clum was rewriting the standard for greatness in perhaps the most mentally and physically taxing sport in existence, and in his endeavor he became one of the most sought-after wrestling recruits in the country. The unprecedented winning streak reached fever pitch during Tom’s senior year at Pomona High School. The media and entire state frenzied over the story of this lovably humble kid from Arvada. Meanwhile, Brett Roller from Wasson High School needed to salvage his otherwise unworthy wrestling career. Defying a mass of doubters and naysayers, Roller decided to chase his own form of wrestling history in 2001. Unmatched recounts the powerful and true wrestling story of Tom Clum and Brett Roller. For more extensive information about Unmatched and the author, Brady Buck, please visit www.unmatchedthebook.com

308 pages, Paperback

Published January 11, 2020

About the author

Brady Buck grew up on the plains of eastern Colorado in the small town of Wray on his family’s owned and operated commercial cattle ranch. After an enriching upbringing in rural America, he went on to attend Duke University where he studied Public Policy and Environmental Science, while also writing for the Duke student newspaper, The Chronicle. Covering the football, basketball, and athletic recruiting happenings at Duke cultivated an affinity for sports writing and the artistry of storytelling. Following his graduation at Duke in 2013, Brady returned to his roots to work in the agricultural industry. In the summer of 2019, Brady married his wife, Jordan Buck, who works as an attorney. The couple resides in Colorado.

Five years removed from his collegiate journalism days, Brady still had a burning desire to pursue a writing project that called to him. Nearly twenty years ago, when Brady was just eleven years old, the stunning headline from The Denver Post in February of 2001 stuck with him all the way through young adulthood. The wrestling tale was unforgettable, iconic, and rich with themes that were difficult, if not impossible, to script.

In the spring of 2018, with an inescapable vision in his head for the story, Brady’s “one-third life crisis” hit him: He was determined to turn the story of Tom Clum and Brett Roller into a full-fledged book. After two years of production, one of the wrestling world’s and Colorado sports history’s most cherished stories is etched in permanent ink.

Reviews

[Terri Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Growing up in eastern Colorado, I grew up with wrestling so I loved this true story! Brady’s style of writing kept me captivated throughout the entire book. The way he developed each character was brilliant. I loved this book and would recommend it to anyone who loves sports but even more to a wrestling fan.

[Brady Buck]

Author of "Unmatched" here and I'm new to goodreads. I'm happy to be of any resource to readers if needed. Thanks, everyone! Enjoy the story.

[Eric Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! Any sports fan would appreciate this story of athletic greatness. I read the final 200 pages in one go. You won't be able to pull yourself away from the senior year State tourney!