Searcy, Ark., (LP) — The wrestling team has been very impressive as the season kicks off with a big win with a 7-0 in duals. SHS competed in the 10th Annual Central Classic at Little Rock last Saturday. They took him first place in both varsity and junior varsity divisions after their big win. Searcy is 3-0 in duals after beating Russellville 55-18, Van Buren 66-9, and North Little Rock 72-9 last Thursday. With big wins like that comes a lot of hard work and after school practice which the wrestling team is big on.

The head coach of the wrestling team is coach Evans. The wresting kids have to go though a lot of practice and conditioning to be prepared for a big tournament. As the coach states, “Preparations start in July, and we need all the time we can get for practice.” In order to be ready to take on a tournament coach Evan says the team needs to “get in competition shape, have more mat time and practice more with attack based offense.” Coach is really strict when it comes to the teams educations and behavior. Cullin says, “Coach expects a 110% in everything we do, from school, to practice, to competition.”

This year the team has five seniors and among those is Cullin Fitzpatrick who is one of the team’s best wrestler. He took home first place in the duals and is planning on “winning another conference championship.” Cullin believes the team needs to improve on their finishing moves along with conditioning. Since the team has started the season off with a great win he’s confident their on “the right track.”

Coach Evans said he has six guys who are 10-1, and “every varsity wrestler has a winning record and we have three first place winners and ten out of 14 weight classes, which is a big deal.” He has confidence in his team and believes his team can be eligible to go to the state championship which is a huge deal. Since it’s Cullin’s last year to wrestle he wants to “make the most of it, win as many tournaments as possible, and most importantly, make memories.”

The wrestling team is taking on Bentonville West this weekend and plan on taking home another big win. Coach Evans says “this is one of our hardest tournaments yet, but we have faith that we can walk away with a trophy in our hands.” Hopefully that’s exactly what happens, be sure to join the wrestling team on their next match and show some pride!