Junction City High School sophomore Charly Goodwin captured fifth place in the 120 pound weight class at the Class 6A State Wrestling Tournament on Thursday.
In the fifth place match she defeated Jenna Knight of Bonner Springs by a fall in just 35 seconds. "I just started with a front headlock and her leg was just right there so I locked it up with a cradle and it worked."
Goodwin sought out her father Mike Goodwin as soon as the match ended. He was a state champion wrestler during his high school career at JCHS, and is a current Lady Jay wrestling coach. "I looked at my dad and he was crying actually. But I went up and I ran to him and gave him a big ole hug."
Charly went 4-2 in matches at the state tournament. She agreed that her dad has instilled a love of wrestling in her. "At first he was really hesitant on me wrestling in eighth grade but once I started he noticed that I really started liking it a lot so we've just been in it together." Goodwin added that they have been to every practice together. " I've never been to a tournament without him." Charly noted that her mother is also a big fan. Leslie Goodwin was an athlete at Saint Xavier High School and later played college volleyball at Cloud County Community College and New Orleans University.
Charly is excited about wrestling at Junction City High School the next two years. The experience at the state tournament this season was a good one. "It's pretty nerve wracking but it's nothing I haven't seen before. " She called this a great week. "I've just been so excited to be here and just be around all of these wrestlers, like all the females. They're so supportive of each other."