In a year like no other, senior Luke Goodwin started off on the wrong foot. At the beginning of the wrestling season, he was contact traced before their first meet. But, that didn’t stop him from pushing his way to the state tournament. 

Throughout this postseason, Goodwin has not lost a match yet. He hopes to continue his run heading into the state championship and place better in the tournament than he was able to last season when he got seventh. 

“I have to work harder than before if I want to win,” Goodwin said. 

After winning all postseason matches, he has had a successful season. Goodwin was able to finish his senior year by winning sectionals, regionals, semi-state and qualifying for state. 

“I have been helping my team place higher with my wins and losses,” Goodwin said. “I still get our team points even if I don’t place first most of the time.”

Since kindergarten, Goodwin has practiced a lot to get to the point he is at in his wrestling career. This practice has helped him improve the SHS wrestling team over the last four years. 

“He has practiced year round for the past four years to get him to this point,” Goodwin’s mom, Jenny Goodwin, said. “And during off season he would put in two practices a day as well.”

Goodwin believes all the wrestlers at state have a good reason to be there, so this will be the best competition he has faced in his wrestling career at SHS.

According to Jenny, he has learned that he can really do anything he puts his mind to. While he is on the mat, he can see the spotlight on him. And the pressure of everyone focused on him helps him on the mat because it is an individual sport. 

“He has been a leader for the wrestling team over the last few years and learned how to be a good role model for younger athletes looking up to him,” Jenny said.