State Champion Wood gives God the glory

Perkins County Senior Beau Wood finished this year’s wrestling season undefeated as the Class C 195 Nebraska State Champion. 

After ending last year’s season at 30-1 with his second bronze medal, Wood said, “I may not be undefeated anymore, but I still wrestle for someone who is.” 

He was able to prove just that as he stood and pointed upward at the sound of the whistle proclaiming this year’s championship victory. 

As a four-time state qualifier, Wood returned home his sophomore and junior years with the bronze medal in Class D. The fight for the gold would prove even more difficult this season with the Plainsmen’s move to Class C.

But the title and the hardware that comes with it have never been Wood’s priority. His faith in Jesus Christ is No. 1.

“Praise Jesus either way. I’m going to do whatever God’s got planned for me. If He wants me to win, cool. If He doesn’t, that’s alright, too,” he said before the semifinals Friday night at CHI Health Center in Omaha. 

Wood contributes his strong faith to his parents, Brandon and Amanda Wood, and his grandparents. He is active in FCA, church, youth group and has gone on a couple mission trips. 

Beau and classmate Caden Waitley “keep each other in check” while facing the many temptations of high school. 

“With my faith, I just wanted to be different than everybody else. I didn’t want to do any of the partying, the drinking, having sex before marriage or anything like that,” Wood said, hoping to show others that if he can get through it, they can too.

After speaking to a fellow wrestler and leading him to Christ earlier this season, Wood began speaking to his opponents about Jesus after each match. 

“Some of them were a little salty, but for the most part they were alright with it,” he said. 

To calm his nerves before his matches, Wood listens to Christian rap, his favorite being “Oh Lord” by NF. While putting on the red or green bands before each match begins, Wood silently says, 

“Lord, please give me the strength of Samson, the endurance of Job and the heart of David. Win or lose, I’ll praise you. Just use me.”

At the NSAA Wrestling Championships Feb. 14-16, Wood pinned his opponents in the first round, quarterfinals and semifinals to advance to the championship. 

His teammate Emilio Perez took the sixth-place medal in 285. See full state wrestling here.  

Shown live on NET, viewers at home may have questioned why Wood was wearing a T-shirt during his introduction through the tunnel walk before the championship match.

The shirt said “SFTS. Stand for the Silent.” 

Founded in 2010, Stand for the Silent is one of the leading anti-bullying organizations with the mission to bring awareness to bullying and the real devastation it causes.

 Wood never fell behind in the championship match, winning 6-2. 

Moments after his big win, he had one thing to say. 

“Give God the glory! It’s not me.”