Will Adkins’ State Title
Moeller senior Will Adkins capped off his phenomenal high school wrestling career in the best way possible: a state championship. On March 9th, Will etched his name in the history books as Moeller’s first state champion since the 2017 season. Standing atop the podium must have been a special moment for this lifelong Crusader, who has bled blue and gold his entire life.
Will comes from a long line of Crusaders, including both of his grandfathers, all his uncles, his dad, and numerous cousins who have graduated from Moeller. Being a Crusader is all Will has ever known, and as soon as he got his chance to continue the family legacy, he made a big impact. Adkins managed to win the GCL and qualify for the state tournament in his freshman year, a feat that has not been accomplished many times, marking the beginning of an extraordinary career.
As a dual-sport athlete, Will had to work harder than most to stay at the top of his game in both sports. As a two-year varsity starter for two excellent Moeller football teams, it is clear that Will was not only a great wrestler but an all-around amazing athlete. He brought his exceptional work ethic and leadership qualities to everything he did, making all his teammates better in both sports. After his football career ended with a heartbreaking loss in the State Championship, he made it his top priority to stand on the podium at the end of his wrestling season.
At the end of Will’s junior year wrestling season, he finished second in the state tournament to a competitor from St. Edwards. This devastating loss lit a fire under him to never feel the pain of second place again. Even after tearing his PCL early in this year’s season, it did not stop him from working on his craft. While in a knee brace, Will worked just as hard as everyone on the wrestling team, proving why they voted him team captain for the second year in a row. Adkins was cleared to wrestle the week of the GCL meet, which he won with ease, proving to everyone that he was back and meant business. This win at the GCL meet also put him in elite company as one of the few Moeller wrestlers to be a four-time GCL champion.
By the time the state tournament rolled around, Will was back at the top of his game and earned the number 2 seed in Columbus. He began the final week of his high school wrestling career with a 22-4 statement victory in the first round, followed by a 7-1 win and a 12-2 victory over the number 7 seed. He continued his dominant run up to the state final match, where he faced the number 1 seeded Brown University wrestling commit. Despite being projected to lose, Will gave everything he had and finished on top 4-1 in an overtime thriller to earn his spot atop the podium.
This storybook ending to a phenomenal career was earned through Will Adkins’ incredible work ethic and desire to be the best. The man of Moeller finished as a four-time GCL champion, four-time state qualifier, three-time state placer, and the 2025 state champion of the 215-weight class. His wrestling days are not over, as he plans to be a two-sport athlete at Ashland University, where he will continue to make an amazing impact and represent the M-shield to the best of his ability in everything he does.
