Champion… in sports it’s defined as a person or team who has defeated or surpassed all rivals in competition. At Tuttle High School, it’s an expectation…or so says Harley Andrews, a senior on the Tigers wrestling team.

 “Tuttle wrestling is more than just a team – it’s a family,” said Andrews, who stands 6-foot-4 and weighs 240 pounds. “With all the support and love all of the wrestlers get from the community, it makes it fun and enjoyable to go out and wrestle and practice hard throughout the year.”

Heading into the final weeks of his high school career before taking his talents to the University of Nebraska on a wrestling scholarship, Andrews remains undefeated, posting a 34-0 mark with a four-year career total of 124 wins. Wrestling this season in the 285 pound weight class, Andrews is focused on winning his third gold medal as an individual state champion and helping the Tigers to a record-setting 13^th consecutive Dual State crown and their 14^th team title. 

A multi-sport athlete, including playing tight end and defensive end for the Tiger footballers who reached the Class 4A state finals last fall, Andrews believes his technique and agressiveness is an advantage inside the wrestling circle.

“I feel although I’m a big guy, I still wrestle like the kids at the smaller weights so that makes it hard for the bigger and slower kids to wrestle me.”

His coach, Bobby Williams, admires the non-stop efforts of Andrews.

“Harley is a competitive person that’s not afraid of hard work,” said the Tuttle coach who has been on the mat with Andrews since the seventh grade. “He started as a little guy that has grown into becoming a champion. He’s put a lot of work into becoming one of the best of the best.”

Currently ranked among the top four wrestlers in the country, when asked to define himself Andrews replied in simple terms.

“Respectful, hard working and courageous. I truly feel my ability to work hard and striving to reach the goals I have set for myself makes it even sweeter once I obtain them.”

Evidenced by his dedicated approach to his sport, Andrews welcomes the challenges to be the best in all walks of his life, pointing to the demands of wrestling as his measuring stick of success.

“The toughest thing about wrestling is also my favorite part,” Andrews said with confidence. “The pressure is all on you. When you win you get the praise and when you lose you are the only one to blame.”

And with his successes in and out of athletics, including a 3.9 GPA, there’s only one way to define Harley Andrews… CHAMPION.