For four years, Miami Palmetto Senior High senior Drake Bonney has been part of the pride behind the school’s wrestling team. Recently, he hit his 200th career win, a major milestone in high school wrestling that fewer than 0.1% of all high school wrestlers achieve, and that no one else in MPSH wrestling has previously achieved. 

Bonney was a three-year varsity wrestling team captain and four-time state qualifier, placing sixth in 2024 and third in 2025. Wrestling most of his life, Bonney has encountered several challenges and setbacks, including a floating rib injury in his sophomore year. 

“The hardest part for me was being mentally strong and staying on course. Sometimes I felt like not doing [wrestling] anymore, sometimes it feels it’s just too hard, but I stayed strong,” Bonney said.

While Bonney was still in contention to win the state competition in his sophomore year, he suffered a floating rib injury, meaning he could not continue with the sport. The rehab process was not easy, both physically and mentally, but Bonney dedicated maximum effort to return stronger. By his junior year, Bonney was ready not only to get back to states but also perform at a high level, placing third.

“He dealt with a lot of adversity. He has always been in a difficult weight class where he has had to go against some of the best guys in the state. He has had to battle through injuries, so to see him continue to fight through and recover was something amazing,” MPSH boys wrestling head coach Anthony Fadelle said.

Moreover, Bonney’s journey serves as motivation and a point of respect for his teammates and coaches, who look up to him. Bonney encourages those around him to push themselves harder than before. As a long-time presence on the team, he strives to lead by example and achieve his goals. 

“He works hard on the kids. He wrestles them tough, and he is a leader by example. He will push them when they have to wrestle with him and try to get them up to his level,” Fadelle said.

Bonney plans to continue his wrestling career at Bloomsburg University’s Division I wrestling program, where he will continue to grow and establish his mark on the wrestling community.