The Gravette High School wrestling team has strengthened its legacy, securing a second-consecutive 4A state championship through a series of hard-fought battles. With a final team score of 174.0, the Lions edged out Pottsville (167.5) in a championship weekend that tested their resilience and determination.
The title did not come easily. Every wrestler on the team had to push beyond their limits and fight for every point to bring it home. The Lions entered the finals trailing by five points, needing key victories to reclaim the lead. In a defining moment, junior Porter Bird stepped onto the mat in a must-win match and delivered a 6-4 decision that clinched the championship for Gravette. Moments earlier, Jackson Moretto’s critical pin set the tone, and Logan Miller battled through a knee injury to secure his victory. In doing so, Miller joined the ranks of an elite group of only 13 Arkansas wrestlers to win four state championships.
A series of setbacks tested the Lions. After a strong session one performance on Friday morning, the Lions held a 48.5 to 30 lead in the team standings. But in session two, momentum shifted, and Gravette fell to fourth place (88.5 points), trailing Pottsville, CAC, and Shiloh Christian. Suddenly, the Lions were battling uphill, and Logan Miller’s knee injury cast doubt on his ability to return for the finals. But the Lions stood firm and proved the strength of their will in the final rounds, delivering clutch performances across the board to reclaim the lead and take the title. "This championship means so much because of what it took to get here," Coach Alex Herrlein said. "Every wrestler on this team played a role in getting us to the top."
Eleven Gravette wrestlers earned All-State honors, with standout contributions from Payton Burnett, Kelton McDougal, Eli Keith, Jacob Worley, Jackson Patton, Cutter Franks, Jacob Gaylord, Logan Wolf, Tasi Benavente, and Porter Bird. McDougal and Patton earned runner-up finishes, while Burnett, Keith, Franks, Gaylord, and Benavente powered through to claim third-place medals. Each hard-fought match contributed to a championship that was truly a team effort, with every wrestler playing a critical part in their collective victory.
As the celebration settles, the focus shifts to the future. Workouts and training, Olympic-style wrestling, and preparation for the next season begin almost immediately. “We have eight new starters joining the lineup next year,” said Coach Herrlein, “Three or four of our kids are looking to secure a college scholarship this spring. So we will be back to training next week in hopes to prepare to reach our goals again next winter.”
Gravette’s back-to-back state titles reflect the discipline, preparation, and teamwork that have defined this program since it began only four years ago. Last weekend, the Lions overcame setbacks, delivered in key moments, and met the high expectations set for them. Their hard work has made this community proud, and they are truly appreciated. Of course, this achievement was only possible thanks to the commitment of the four coaches who started it all and that leadership will continue to push the program forward. With back-to-back championships now in the books, the next chapter will be the challenge of carrying on a tradition of excellence. But with a strong foundation and a proud community behind them, next year’s team has all the pieces in place to continue the program’s success like never before.
Special thanks to Alex Herrlein for his detailed tournament recap and curation of photos used in this article.