CLEVELAND, Tenn. -- If Vince Aguilar didn't have bad luck, he might not have any luck at all.

This young man has endured more in the past four years than most people have to put up with in a lifetime, but he still has hope that all will turn out okay.

Aguilar is the 145-pound wrestler for the Bradley Bears who spent much of Saturday night in a Franklin hospital emergency room after dislocating and hyperextending his elbow during his match against Cleveland in the championship finals of the TSSAA State Duals tournament.

He was released some five hours after arriving and got back home about 8 a.m. on Sunday.

He was in the Bradley wrestling room on Monday afternoon when about 40 of his teammates gathered for their regular practice.

He was dressed in street clothes and had a cast on his right arm.

Vince had a battle with osteomyetis as a freshman. Basically an inflammation in his hip, he spent more than a month in a hospital while it slowly healed.

His family's house burned to the ground early in his sophomore year while he missed the State Duals last year with a staph infection.

Despite all of the setbacks, including the one on Saturday, this young man is still hoping to be in the starting lineup this weekend.

The Bears begin defense of their Region title in Alcoa on Friday and this young man is planning to be ready to wrestle when his name is called.

"I'm going back to the doctor Tuesday and I hope he releases me to wrestle this weekend," Aguilar said Monday afternoon while the rest of his teammates were going through their usual workout drills.

"I'm planning to wrestle this weekend. It's my senior year and my last chance to win a state medal," he continued.

He was leading 8-3 entering the third period of his match Saturday. Assuming the down position, he tried to get a reversal, but when he posted his arm to pivot, his elbow popped out of joint and he crumbled to the mat in intense pain.

What had been a spirited match where fans from both teams were making lots of noise became deathly silent as trainers, coaches and officials came to his aid.

The match was delayed for what seemed like an eternity as an ambulance was called to assist him.

This fellow has endured more than his share of pain in recent years, but nothing to compare with this.

"That was probably the worst pain I've ever felt in my entire life. That was my first time in the State Duals and I thought my career was over when it happened.

"I cried out of pain and disappointment that I couldn't be present to celebrate with the rest of my teammates.

"I'm sad I can't be out there right now, but I'm thinking there's at least a 50-50 chance I'll be able to wrestle on Friday," he added.

Vince's twin brother Chris wrestles at 152 pounds. He was the next wrestler on the mat following his brother's injury.

Chris recorded one of two pins for the Bears as they held on for their third straight Duals title.

Bradley coach Steve Logsdon would love nothing more than to have Vince Aguilar in uniform on Friday.

"That's a decision between the doctor and his mother. It's not mine to make," Logsdon said during a break from practice.

"It's a pain issue as it won't get hurt any worse. It could pop out again and he would have to endure more pain, but I don't know.

"I hate to not see a kid like him have a chance. He's paid his dues. That's just not the way you want to see a kid end his career. It's just not fair.

"We'll see what the doctor says on Tuesday. Even if he gets the okay to wrestle, he won't practice this week as we'll rest that arm as much as possible.

"We'll put him on that stationary bike. I guarantee he can get a great workout there without affecting his arm.

"I hope more than anyone that he'll be able to go on Friday as he's capable of sooring a lot of points for us.

"If he's not able to go, we'll see what our other options are and go from there," Logsdon concluded.

The Bears will be returning to the Williamson County Agricultural Expo Center on Feb. 18-20 to defend their traditional state title.

The Bears have won the last two traditional tournaments and seven of the last nine.

Vince Aguilar just hopes that he's there with them as a participant and not a spectator.

(Email John Hunt at tnmoose2002@aol.com)