The Arkansas high school wrestling season is now over, and the Greenwood Bulldogs have once again represented themselves well. Four GHS wrestlers placed in the top sixth finishers in their respective weight classes, with two earning state championships.
Senior Austin Collins and junior Jon Womack both won state title medallions, Collins at 195 pounds and Womack in the heavyweight division. Womack was also named as the Outstanding Wrestler in the upper weights and received the "Victory With Honor" award as well.
Greenwood's Braxton Horne also finished sixth at 145 pounds and Dylan Wilson placed second at 138 pounds.
Womack was the state runner-up in the heavyweight division last year as a sophomore and hopes to defend his title next season as a senior. He was seeded second in this year's event and won five consecutive matches to claim the crown, defeating DeAndrea Martinez of Rogers Heritage in the finals.
"I knew I was going to have to be more aggressive going into [the title] match, and I think that was the turning point," he said. "I just knew what I wanted and I pushed myself to be able to accomplish [it]." Womack posted an impressive record of 38-3 this season.
Austin Collins was the top seed in his weight class and triumphed over Logan Collins of Springdale Har-Ber, winning a close 7-6 decision. He finished the season at 31-6.
"It's an awesome feeling [winning state], just having a coaching staff, family and a community to support me and being able to bring another state title back to Greenwood. I didn't look ahead and just focused on each individual match."
This is the fifth season for GHS wrestling under Head Coach John Kincade, who also founded the program. He is assisted by volunteer coach David Tuck.