Evanston High School graduate Kendell Cummings and his Northwest College wrestling teammate Brady Lowry have begun their recovery after surviving an attack by a grizzly bear in Shoshone National Forest, near Cody.

The two were in a group of four NWC wrestlers searching for antlers in the mountains after practice on Saturday, Oct. 19. The group had separated when suddenly the bear emerged from the forest and began to maul Lowry, who reportedly did not have time to reach for his bear spray. Cummings jumped onto the bear and began striking it, which drew the animal’s attention to him. After some time, the bear left, but it quickly returned, continuing to attack Cummings.   

Lowry sustained puncture wounds and a compound fracture in his arm, and Cummings received multiple lacerations and puncture wounds on his head, face and torso.

Information and Education Specialist Tara Hodges of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD) explained that attacks like this one can result from aggressive defensive behavior, which grizzlies often display near food sources or cubs. “They aren’t necessarily territorial,” Hodges said, “but they defend their personal space.”

She continued by explaining possible seasonal factors, such as hyperphagia. “There is more activity in the fall as bears attempt to increase calorie intake in preparation for hibernation.” This, Hodges said, can lead to an increased likelihood of attacks at lower elevations.

A WGFD press release agreed with Hodges, as it said, “In the last few weeks, there has been an abundance of bear activity at low elevations… Game and Fish encourages anyone recreating in these areas to be bear aware.”

The four wrestlers headed down the mountain and contacted Park County Search and Rescue and the Park County Sheriff’s Office with the aid of a hunter who was in the area. After what Cummings estimated to be between 45 minutes and an hour from the attack, a life flight took him to St. Vincent Healthcare in Billings, Montana, and Lowry was transported by ambulance to Cody Regional before being transferred to St. Vincent. Both underwent multiple surgeries, and have since been discharged.

JP Cummings — Kendall’s father — told the Herald that his son had “a team of surgeons” attending his injuries shortly after his arrival at the hospital. His operations took the better part of a day to complete, and finished later than anticipated. “He had a friend pacing the halls waiting for him to come out.”

United States Senator for Wyoming John Barrasso — in Evanston Wednesday for a campaign stop — said of the incident, “I hear they’re both doing well. They had help from hunters, and they did what they needed to do.” He added that attacks would be less common if grizzlies were removed from the endangered species list. “There are just too many of them,” he said.

According to his father, Kendell has long been a fighter. “He played baseball and football in high school,” Mr. Cummings said, “but wrestling has always been his passion.” This seems to coincide with what he called his son’s natural bravery. “He’s got that kind of heart, that courage, very broad shoulders.”

Kendell wants to return to the mat, but believes he may have to wait until next year. “I definitely want to wrestle again,” he said, “but I don’t know how long it’ll be until I’m 100%.”

EHS head wrestling coach Larry Wagstaff spoke with Kendell earlier this week.

“I told him, ‘That’s quite a thing you did for your friend,’” Wagstaff recalled. “He told me, ‘Coach, I’d rather be in the shape that I’m in than sit on the couch one day without my friend.’”

Wagstaff said he wasn’t shocked by his former wrestler’s heroic actions.

“[Kendell] was always a competitor,” he explained. “He worked hard, was a great team leader — all you want a kid to be. It didn’t surprise me that he did what he did. It’s who he is.”

JP Cummings commended the surgeons in Billings, noting that they have done an excellent job speeding Kendell on his way to recovery. “There will be some scarring, but everything is going to be okay.”

Kendell returned home Wednesday evening to a hero’s welcome, complete with an escort of Evanston emergency vehicles, and a caravan of family and friends.

A fundraiser will be held at Friday’s football game between the Red Devils and Green River, and donations to help both wrestlers with their medical expenses can be made through the Northwest College Alumni Foundation, at https://www.nwcollegefoundation.org/wrestlers-medical-support.

An online auction has also been created, and can be found on Facebook on the Kendell Cummings Benefit Online Auction page.

With his son safely back at home, JP Cummings took a moment to reflect on the last few days.

“I cannot commend Kendell enough… He was brave enough to put his life on the line for someone,” he said. “It wasn’t a young man attacked by a bear; it was a bear attacked by a young man who was trying to save his friend.”