MESQUITE, Nev. — Dominant on the mat and an overachiever, Ethan Woods is a name that will forever be associated with Virgin Valley High School’s (VVHS) history. It is not every day that you encounter an athlete who excels in multiple sports and academics, but Woods is that type of athlete.

For a reason, Woods was named on the 20-man shortlist for the Student Athletes of the Year award. The 20 students named in this shortlist were awarded scholarships by the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association and One Nevada Credit Union. This award is presented to top athletes who excelled in academics and sports, so  Woods easily made that list.

Woods was not afraid to venture into various sports, so he also participated in wrestling while playing cross country football.

“Ethan did cross country this year, his first year,” Woods’ father, Jeremy, said. “He was winning matches and finishing in top runners all with an injury. Just imagine what he could have done if he was at 100%.”

Woods found a large amount of success in wrestling as well.

Despite not being able to compete in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Woods was still successful enough to generate interest from college coaches. Woods’ high school career concluded with him winning the regional championship and being state runner up in 2019, and the regional runner up and third-place finish at the state level in 2020. This level of success was enough to convince multiple colleges and universities that Woods was the real deal.

Woods declined multiple offers, including one from the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, Utah, and finally signed a letter to join the wrestling program with the University of Saint Mary in Leavenworth, Kansas. Signing day was a momentous occasion for both Woods and VVHS.

“It has been a while since we have had an athlete sign with a college,” VVHS Principal Riley Frei said.

“Wrestling in college has been a dream of mine since I first stepped on the mat,” Woods said.

Woods will be focusing on his college training as soon as he graduates, but no one will forget him at VVHS any time soon, and neither will Woods.

“I would like to thank my coaches, Skyler Woods and Scott Woods, for believing in me and pushing me to be my best,” he said. “I would also like to thank my dad for always being in my corner, ready to help me in every way to help me accomplish my goals. Along with my mother who was always there to cheer me on. Other big thanks go out to the rest of my family and friends who believed in me and supported me through it all. I look forward to furthering my athletic career and education at The University of Saint Mary.”

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