Marlow's wrestling program a symbol of community strength

Howington named 3A Coach of the Year

Marlow's wrestling program has created many champions over the years, but the program also had a long void - 15 years of not winning a state championship.

That changed in 2021 when Marlow won its first state title since 2006. Coach Andy Howington has been over the program for nine years now. While he admits it was a tough season, the results this year were worth the challenges.

"The season was a challenging one full of adversity, but we overcame it, and my kids got what they worked for. I'm so proud of my kids. This is a special group," he said. "I'm happy that they represented our school and our town." While the program builds champions and strengthens the moral core of the wrestlers, it has also instilled a community bond that is evident at every dual meet and state visit.

Each of the wrestlers interviewed (see main story) said that just seeing the stands filled with their family, friends and even Marlow residents they didn't know has been inspiring.

The community support behind the program over the years has also been inspiring to Howington. "We had the biggest crowd there (at state). I'd like to thank our town for the support they gave us. They helped us to win it. This just finished my 9th year and we've won 3 dual state titles and 3 state titles. We wrestled well this weekend."

OSSAA Boys State Championships Results for Marlow 3A

106 - Justin Choate (2-3) dnp/Quarterfinal: Connor Pounds (SPERRY) 26-13 won by fall over Choate (2-3) (Fall 3:19); Cons. Round 1 Lane Walters (SALINA) 29-16 won by decision over Choate 2-3 (Dec 8-5)

113 - Tommy Miller (38-6) placed 2nd, scored 18.0 team points; Quarterfinal, Miller 38-6 won by fall over Ryker Ernce (PERRY) 13-23 (Fall 1:58); Semifinal, Miller 38-6 won by fall over Corlin Cass (PAWHUSKA) 30-9 (Fall 4:30); 1st place match, Louden Wolfe (BLACKWELL) 37-7 won by decision over Miller 38-6 (Dec 3-2)

120 - Marcus Williams (23-2) placed 1st, scored 24.0 team points; Quarterfinal, Williams 23-2 won by fall over Dakota Cox (WATONGA) 22-13 (Fall 1:53); Semifinal, Williams 23-2 won by fall over Hudson Farris (LINCOLN CHRISTIAN) 37-15 (Fall 4:12); 1st place match, Williams 23-2 won by fall over Gage Jessen (COMANCHE) 28-14 (Fall 0:42)

126 - Jaxson Murray (25-6) placed 3rd, scored 12.0 team points; Quarterfinal, Murray 25-6 won by decision over Aaron Blevins (SALINA) 35-17 (Dec 8-6); Semifinal, Zane Donley (VINITA) 34-2 won by fall over Murray 25-6 (Fall 1:02); Cons. Semi, Murray 25-6 won by fall over Brycen Rasnic (HINTON) 26-9 (Fall 1:31); 3rd place match, Murray 25-6 won by decision over Aaron Blevins (SALINA) 35-17 (Dec 9-7)

132 - Keller Kizarr (26-5) placed 2nd, scored 16.0 team points; Quarterfinal, Kizarr 26-5 won by fall over Wyatt Cosby (PAWHUSKA) 29-14 (Fall 0:35); Semifinal, Kizarr 26-5 won by decision over Luke Prince (VINITA) 35-8 (Dec 9-4); 1st place match, Jesse Justice (SPERRY) 38-6 won by decision over Kizarr 26-5 (Dec 11-4)

144 - Brantz Bateman (42-4) placed 1st,, scored 24.0 team points; Quarterfinal, Bateman 42-4 won by fall over Coleman Kauffman (VINITA) 19-9 (Fall 1:14); Semifinal, Bateman 42-4 won by fall over Dylan Abbott (SPERRY) 32-9 (Fall 1:43); 1st place match - Brantz Bateman (MARLOW) 42-4 won by fall over Grant Rowe (BLACKWELL) 38-7 (Fall 1:21)

150 - Zach Dawson (42-4) placed 1st, scored 21.0 team points; Quarterfinal, Dawson 42-4 won by fall over Chris Cordova (PERRY) 25-15 (Fall 1:06); Semifinal, Dawson 42-4 won by major decision over Zane Swafford (BERRYHILL) 30-9 (MD 10-2); 1st place match, Dawson 42-4 won by decision over Grady Mittasch (PAWNEE) 42-3 (Dec 8-3)

157 - Cade Gilbert (36-4) placed 1st, scored 23.0 team points; Quarterfinal, Gilbert 36-4 won by fall over Carlos Martinez (CASHION) 22-11 (Fall 4:28); Semifinal, Gilbert 36-4 won by major decision over Kelby Ingram (BLACKWELL) 23-7 (MD 11-3); 1st place match, Gilbert 36-4 won by fall over Kolbe Novotny (PAWNEE) 35-7 (Fall 5:58)

165 - Jase Hunt (17-11) dnp/Quarterfinal, Lubbock Drake (WARNER) 36-12 won by major decision over Hunt 17-11 (MD 13-2); Cons. Round 1, Seth Elam (SALINA) 30-14 won by fall over Hunt 17-11 (Fall 3:26)

175 - Lawson Knox (37-4) placed 1st, scored 23.5 team points; Quarterfinal, Knox 37-4 won by fall over Anthony Scavo (SPERRY) 31-15 (Fall 0:53); Semifinal, Knox 37-4 won by fall over Jyce Glass (SALINA) 31-19 (Fall 0:26); 1st place match, Knox 37-4 won by tech fall over Lawson Lusk (BLACKWELL) 34-12 (TF-1.5 4:31 (16-0)

190 - Gage Hixon (17-9) dnp/Champ. Round 1 - Teyton Chandler (VICTORY CHRISTIAN) 34-7 won by fall over Hixon 17-9 (Fall 3:46)

215 - Brock Smith (34-11) placed 3rd, scored 13.5 team points; Quarterfinal, Smith 34-11 won by tech fall over Jordyn Miller (HENRYETTA) 39-6 (TF-1.5 5:44 (16-1); Semifinal, Titan Hix (LOCUST GROVE) 33-6 won by decision over Smith 34-11 (Dec 5-4); Cons. Semi, Smith 34-11 won by decision over Trey Williams (MANGUM) 26-9 (Dec 8-2); 3rd place match, Smith 34-11 won by fall over Lane Gourley (LITTLE AXE) 33-12 (Fall 5:44)