Woodrow Wilson has made some big noise throughout the wrestling world this season. With a young team, nobody expected the Flying Eagles to soar as high as they did. Ranked 5th in the state as a team and previously beating Saint Albans High in a dual match in January, Woodrow beat Saint Albans again at the individual Region 3 tournament, becoming Regional Champs for the first time since 1989. 

     If wrestlers place top four in their bracket at regionals, they will have earned their ticket to the state tournament (taking place March 4th, 5th, and 6th). Such was the story for 12 of Woodrow’s wrestlers. On top of taking nearly every weight class with exclusions of 220 (an empty spot in Woodrow’s roster) and 138 (wrestler did not place within the top four), they had 8 finalists with 6 of them winning it all. Individual 1st place winners include Garret Johnson (106), Jimmie Bailes (113), Tyler Roark (120), Ethan Osborne (152), Jay Jones (195), and Jackson Evans (285). With the six 1st placers, 2 other finalists, and four other top four placers, Woodrow skyrocketed to a whopping 208.5 team points, with the closest score to Woodrow being Saint Albans who had 178.5 team points. 

     12 wrestlers going to states is the most the Flying Eagles team has taken since Mat Osborne  became head coach three years ago. With Woodrow’s impressive team display and individual efforts, there were a host of achievements.  Ethan Osborne, on top of his first place finish, also received the most outstanding wrestler award. “It’s nice to get recognized as of now, but the real goal is a state title—and even more for our team pushing for a team title,” he said. Matt Osborne received the Region 3 coach of the year award, and also received Coalfield Conference Coach of the Year. “Winning coach of the year just reinforces the fact that we’re doing the right things in the mat room. The guys are successful, so they are taking advantage of their practices and getting better!” said Coach Osborne. Both pieces of hardware were well deserved for the both of them, and they look to close in on individual and team state championships.