The mats have been busy, the brackets have been stacked, and the Ironheads have been making noise all season long. The Eufaula Ironhead Wrestling Club turned heads across the state this year, delivering one of its most impressive seasons to date. Out of 17 wrestlers who competed at Open Regionals, an incredible 15 advanced to the State Tournament — and six brought home state medals, proving the Ironheads aren’t just competing…they’re winning.
That kind of success doesn’t happen by accident. It comes from early morning practices, long drives to tournaments, disciplined training sessions, and a whole lot of heart.
State placers leading the charge Among the standouts was Riley Tarwater, who captured a State Championship in the 6-Under Girls 43-pound division, dominating her bracket and setting the tone for the entire program.
.Other state places included:
• Cheyenne Owens, 4th place, 15-Under Girls 126 lbs Ironhead Wrestling Club pins su…
• Emily Tarwater, 3rd place, 12-Under Girls 70 lbs Ironhead Wrestling Club pins su…
• Jaxon Fry, 7th place, 12-Under Open 110 lbs Ironhead Wrestling Club pins su…
• Tucker Hawkins, 7th place, 6-Under Open 46 lbs Ironhead Wrestling Club pins su…
• Trypp Adcock, 8th place, 15-Under Open 126 lbs Ironhead Wrestling Club pins su… Six placers at state. Fifteen state qualifiers. Seventeen total competitors. That’s depth. That’s development. That’s a program building something special.
Champions beyond State
And the success didn’t stop there.
The Ironheads have crowned multiple Novice State Champions, earned “Battle for the Belt” titles, and produced several USJOC champions and placers. The Ironhead Wrestling Club is showing that talent runs deep throughout the club, from beginners to elite competitors.
Then came a moment that pushed the program into the national spotlight.
On January 22, Riley Tarwater captured the 2026 Tulsa Nationals title and earned the distinction of being ranked the No. 1 6-Under 46-pound girl wrestler in the country.
For a small-town program, that’s not just impressive, it’s powerful.
A culture of grit and growth Behind every medal is a story of persistence. Behind every podium finish is a wrestler who refused to back down.
The Ironhead Wrestling Club continues to prove that with the right coaching, dedication, and community support, big dreams can grow on small-town mats. From first-time competitors to nationally ranked champions, the future of Ironhead wrestling is strong — and still rising.
