Conner Ward was a four-time state finalist and 2018 Kansas state wrestling champion for Mill Valley High School. He finished his prep career with an overall record of 153-16, including 31 pins.
Ward was also the first wrestler to commit to the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
On Tuesday, Ward got to experience another first, as he and his Trojans teammates got to work out in the Greg Hatcher Wrestling Center, a $1.4 million facility that will house the state's first NCAA Division I college wrestling program.
"The appeal was the vision that everyone had, to start something new and to be a part of something not very many people get to be a part of," Ward said.