SPRINGDALE — Tyler Mann became the first wrestler from Arkansas to be named an All-American when he placed sixth in the Junior and Cadets National Championships last summer in Fargo, N.D.
Now, he hopes to set a new standard by being the first wrestler from Arkansas to earn an NCAA Division I scholarship. The junior from Little Rock Central still has plenty of time to attract offers, and he’s building quite a resume as a two-time defending state champion.
“There’s a lot of tournaments that put ‘national’ in front of it, but the tournament in Fargo is the premier event for kids in Tyler’s ago group,” said Shawn Hickey, Little Rock Central coach. “Tyler’s incredibly gifted, and he has the work ethic to go with it.
AT A GLANCE
Northwest Arkansas Duals Tournament
WHEN: Today beginning at 9 a.m.
WHERE: Wildcat Arena, Springdale Har-Ber
FORMAT: Sixteen teams placed in two eight-team brackets.
ADMISSION: $5 for adults, $3 for students
“He’s already an All-American, and he should have a chance to wrestle at the Division I level.”
Mann (5-foot-6, 160 pounds) was one of many high school wrestlers competing Friday in the Northwest Arkansas Duals Tournament at Springdale Har-Ber. The action will continue today, beginning at 9 a.m. and concluding at about 6 p.m.
The Northwest Arkansas Duals is a team-based event, but it was easy to single out Mann, who finished 35-1 last season as a sophomore. He won his first-round match with a pin in the first period.
“I got interested in wrestling as a little kid, and I’ve been loving it ever since,” said Mann, who is ranked eighth nationally in the junior class by US Wrestling magazine. “I’ve been traveling all over the country with my parents, trying to compete against the best, and it’s paying off now.”
Mann represented himself and Arkansas well in North Dakota this summer while competing against wrestlers from across the country. About 40 wrestlers from Arkansas competed, and Mann was the only one to gain All-American status by finishing in the top eight in his weight class.
Ouachita Baptist and Central Baptist have the only college wrestling programs in Arkansas, but the sport is popular in neighboring states such as Oklahoma and Missouri.
“With Arkansas, we’re just starting out in wrestling, but I think it will catch on real quick,” Mann said. “I think we’re creeping up to where we can be in the top 20 (states) as far as wrestling.”
Mann, who said he follows closely the Oklahoma State wrestling program, arrived in Springdale after winning tournaments in Tulsa, Okla., and St. Joseph, Mo. One of his primary goals this season is to help Central win the Class 7A state championship after the Tigers finished second to Har-Ber last year.
“We can definitely win the state championship this year,” Mann said. “We’ve got a young team, but when it really matters at state, I think we’ll shine the most.”
Mann also runs cross country for Little Rock Central, but wrestling is his passion and hopefully his future as a Division I athlete.
“I love the grind and adventure in wrestling where you get to go around the country and see a lot of beautiful places,” Mann said. “It helps you in life, too, like when you’re cutting weight and you’re real tired. Or when things get tougher, it forces you to get tougher. It just teaches you to overcome adversities.”