On February 26, 2025 state wrestling was held at Missouri University in Columbia, Missouri. Elliot Schlak (9) was the first person ever to go to state for wrestling from Fair Grove.
Not only was Schlack the first person from Fair Grove to go to state, he was the only one to go. Schlack stated,”It was very scary considering I knew nobody there and it was huge. There were eight mats set out when usually at every other meet there were at most four.”
Cole Johnston and Chris Holt were the wrestling coaches that went with Schlak to state. Johnston stated, “It was an awesome experience to see the size and precision that the state tournament is. It not only showcases all the kids who qualified by their weight and class but continues to give praise to the student athletes who worked hard to earn their spot and make it to state.”
Elliot and his brother, Owen Schlack (12), were on the same wrestling team. Owen said, “I enjoyed wrestling with him, we have such a chemistry in sports but in wrestling it was like none other. Being able to go to warm up and practice with Elliot at state was a whole new experience.
Owen described how proud he was of Elliot for qualifying for state, “I was incredibly happy for him making it to state, he left everything he had on that mat. The match that progressed him to state was a grinder, both guys were skilled but Elliot won because he had me as a coach of course.”
Owen continued, “It felt pretty good knowing Elliot made such an accomplishment his first year of wrestling. I am unexplainably proud of Elliot, he proved he was a wrestler this year and I’m excited to see him work and see how he does next year.”
