This year, the Briar Woods wrestling team entered the 5A state tournament with a mix of youth, experience, and determination. First-year competitors like Nate Harris (285 lbs) faced the challenge of qualifying for states in their very first season, while sophomores like Landon Le (106 lbs) aimed to build on strong performances and set goals for the future. Senior team captain Zavier Painumkal (132 lbs) carried the weight of experience, reflecting on his final postseason matches, while Greyson Arnold (165 lbs) contributed from the sidelines as a team manager and captain, supporting his teammates and learning from the intense competition. Though some wrestlers went 1-2, such as Landon Le and Zavier Painumkal, and others 0-2, like Nate Harris, every member displayed resilience, dedication, and pride throughout the season, proving that Briar Woods wrestling is about more than wins. It’s about growth, heart, and representing the program with honor.

Landon Le
Sophomore 106-pounder Landon Le made an immediate impact at the state tournament, opening the competition with a 31-second cradle-pin in the first round, moving him to the quarterfinals. The quick victory set the tone early and showed the explosiveness that helped him reach states in the first place. “I just wanted to stay aggressive and not let him get too close,” Le said.
The fast start boosted his confidence heading into the next round. “It definitely boosted my confidence and made me trust my skill set more,” he added. Although he dropped his next two matches, Le focused on making adjustments, emphasizing patience and better setups instead of forcing unnecessary shots or snapdowns, for example. As only a sophomore, the experience, along with the dominant first-round win, gives him momentum heading into the 2026-27 wrestling season.

Zavier Painumkal 

For senior 132-pounder Zavier Painumkal, the tournament carried extra weight as his final postseason appearance and the final matches in his high school career. After falling in his opening match, he regrouped and responded with a 9-5 victory to keep his tournament run alive. “Even though I got tech falled, I didn’t wrestle poorly,” Painumkal said. “Reviewing the footage and knowing God was on my side helped me reset.” 
Painumkal ultimately fell short of placing, but remained proud of the work he put in throughout his career. “At the end of the day, the two losses don’t define me as a person nor a wrestler. I’m simply happy to have spent four years committed to this sport,” he said. Reflecting on his final season, Painumkal admitted the ending hit harder than he had initially expected. “I didn’t expect it to hit as hard as it did, especially since I was so close to placing, but I am forever grateful for the opportunity.”

Nate Harris

First-year 285-pounder Nate Harris made an immediate statement by qualifying for the state tournament in just his first ever season on the mat. “Qualifying for states in my first year at 285 was awesome,” Harris said. “I’m used to football hits, but wrestling’s a different type. Making it there as a sophomore felt huge for me and the whole team.” Stepping onto the state stage brought a mix of nerves and excitement. “It was wild, mostly just pumped to win.”
After being pinned in his opening match, Harris quickly shifted his focus toward adjustments. “First match was tough. Got caught quickly. Shook it off and focused. Stayed lower, worked harder on hand-fighting, and tried to control the pace better,” he explained. In his consolation match, those changes helped him compete more effectively, though he ultimately fell 4-0. “Those adjustments helped me compete, just didn’t get the win, but it’s okay.”
Competing at heavyweight while weighing roughly 245 and 250 pounds required strategy. “The bigger guys are tanks, so I leaned on my explosiveness, moving my feet, while also staying heavy and wearing them down instead of muscling every second, which has worked for me over my varsity matches,” Harris said. While the approach worked in regions, he noted that state-level opponents were prepared. “It definitely made me think faster and sharper.”
Despite the losses, Harris walked away motivated. “States showed me I’m still new to this, gotta get better at not getting caught early and escaping,” he said. With an offseason focused on drilling, lifting, and technique work, while also balancing football, Harris is determined to return stronger. “I’m fired up for the offseason. I’m definitely coming back stronger next year.”

Greyson Arnold

Although 165-pounder Greyson Arnold did not compete at states, he traveled with the team and embraced his role as a team captain and supporter. “It was an eye opener for sure. It showed me not only what to expect at states, but the level of commitment I need to make it there,” Arnold said.

Arnold acknowledged that balancing leadership and personal goals was a challenge this season. “My main motivation this season was to fill the role of team captain, and in doing that, I neglected my own goals as a wrestler,” he said. Moving forward, he plans to find a better balance. “Next season, I’ll focus more on my own wrestling while still supporting the team. This experience helped me find a much healthier balance between the two.”
Arnold’s leadership from the sidelines reinforced the team’s unity and showed that every role matters, whether on the mat or supporting from the bench.

Looking Ahead

Overall, the 5A state tournament was a showcase of Briar Woods wrestling at its finest. From first-year competitors gaining valuable experience to seniors closing their high school careers with reflection and pride, the team demonstrated that success isn’t measured solely by wins and losses. Every match, every adjustment, and every act of support, from the mat to the sidelines, highlighted the dedication, growth, and heart that define Briar Woods wrestling. With lessons learned and motivation renewed, the team looks ahead to next season with confidence, ready to build on this year’s experience and continue representing their program with honor.