Har-ber High School is playing host to a 17 team wrestling tournament Friday night and Saturday. Five states are being represented over this two day tournament.
As the sport of wrestling rapidly grows across the state of Arkansas hosting a tournament of this magnitude is incredibly exciting.
"This is huge, its not only huge for Har-Ber its huge for our sport in the state of Arkansas," said Har-ber Wrestling Coach Nika West. "Our goal is to host a good quality tournament to keep teams wanting to come in from other states and compete against Arkansas and give them what Arkansas has to offer."
For one wrestler in particular coming back to wrestle at Har-ber has a more significant meaning. Sophomore Joey Adams wrestled his way to a state title last year as a Har-Ber Wildcat. This year he returns to his old gym in a Sprindale uniform. While its a bit odd being back in a maroon uniform and not blue one, Asams tries not to look at it any differently.
"You still support your same friends," said Joey Adams. "You still watch their matches and cheer for them."
"We are the one town two schools thing, so we all know a lot of the kids," said Springdale Coach Jamie Stallings. "Its neat for him to come back and wrestle in this gym. He always wants to win and wrestle well. Its kind of like any other match for him."
Adams won the state title last year at the 106 weight class. This year he jumps up to the 113 weight class and his goals are pretty simple
"I want to repeat and be undefeated," said Adams.
"Its very difficult to finish the season undefeated, I would love it if that happened for him," Said Head Coach Jamie Stallings. "If it doesn't that's okay. If he wrestles hard and his best we will be happy with that."
The tournament will continue Friday until 8:30pm. They will take a short break and get back to wrestling Saturday at 9:00am. The finals are set for 1:30pm.