By Trey Hunter
Sports Editor
OKLAHOMA CITY – Josh Heindselman has done it all this season.
The future Oklahoma Sooner finished fifth in the Junior Freestyle Nationals during the summer and followed with an undefeated senior regular season, winning the Mid-America Nationals, the Geary Invitational, the Carl Albert Tournament, three matches at Dual State and the Regional Tournament.
Yet, he was still nervous heading into the 2019 Class 5A State Tournament finals Saturday night at Jim Norick Arena. His perfect season was on the line and his team needed a strong finish.
“Actually I was a little bit,” he said. “I wanted to keep the streak going. I didn’t wrestle as well as I wanted to in the semis and I knew I had to come out and have a better performance.”
Heindselman’s nerves quickly turned to confidence as he built an early lead over Lawton MacArthur’s Montana Phillips, the two time defending champion at 285 pounds. Heindselman had scored twice and let Phillips up twice. Two minutes later, Heindselman was nearly caught, but turned a Phillips side-by-side into a pin and closed out his high school career with a second straight state title of his own.
“It got pretty close,” a relieved and giddy Heindselman said after taking the medal stand with his fellow state placers. “Coach even told me he got kind of scared. That’s what he (Phillips) does. He had the side-by-side and kind of rolled me.
“Coach and I talked about it before and he said to always bail out in those situations and don’t try to fight it. I ended up turning him around and got the fall.”
The win sent Piedmont out on the highest note possible after a rough day and final two sessions. The Wildcats went 1-4 in the consolation semifinals and lost three finals of four finals matches. It also sent Heindselman out as one of the program’s most decorated wrestlers.
“Josh definitely gave us a good finish,” Piedmont coach Erik Ford said after placing the gold medal around Heindselman’s neck and handing him the 285-pound bracket poster. “What he did this year is really impressive and he was one of the best wrestlers in the arena today. I’m just really glad to see him go out on top with a win against a really good guy.”
Heindselman officially ended his high school career by being named the Most Outstanding Wrestler in Class 5A following the tournament.
“I practiced hard all summer and put in the work to get better,” he said. “I was more confident this season and I felt good all year. It was fun ride and a fun season. I’m really going to miss it.”
Heinsdelman finished the year 45-0, winning three tournaments during the regular season and nine matches during the postseason. He went 38-6 during his sophomore season and finished runner-up at State at 220 pound. He went 47-2 last year as the 220-pound State champion.
