Greenwood’s Brianne Mancini makes successful transition to wrestling

In just two seasons of high school wrestling at Greenwood, Brianne Mancini was able to earn high finishes at the state tournament. Last season as a junior, Mancini made it all the way to the finals of the Class 5A 190-pound weight division at the Arkansas Girls State Tournament.

This season, Mancini won the North Region championship and eventually placed third in the 5A 190 class at the recent Arkansas Girls State Tournament held in Little Rock.

“Wrestling in the state tournament is amazing,” Mancini said. “Win or lose, it’s always rewarding to go to – especially only wrestling for two years. I’d like to say I improved quite significantly, and with my team, I think we’ve done wonders. We’re a seven-girl team, and only two didn’t make it to state, but they both placed fifth overall.”

When Mancini transferred to Greenwood as a sophomore, she was interested in the sport but had just come off of surgery on her knee. So she spent her sophomore season as a team manager.

“I e-mailed (Greenwood coach John Kincade) to see if I could get familiar with the sport, and my junior year, I started wrestling,” she said.

Mancini ended up being a quick learner with her immediate success her junior and senior seasons. It started with her very first match.

“My first match as a wrestler was at the Mountie Opening (in Rogers), and I ended up wrestling a girl who was as new as I was to the sport, and I ended up winning and pinning her.”

But Mancini vividly remembers a match at another tournament in Rogers, one she remarked was her most memorable.

“My favorite match was at a tournament in Rogers, and I truly think this is the best match I’ve ever wrestled,” Mancini said. “It was for third place, and neither one of us wanted to lose. The score ended 16-14, and I ended up winning with a pin. When I got up, I helped the girl up and we ended up hugging. I think about that match a lot, if I’m honest. I’m not completely sure what my best attribute as a wrestler is, but if I had to choose something that defines me, it would be my willingness not to quit.”

In addition, she gave tons of credit to Kincade and Mancini’s teammates for their role in making her transition into wrestling a smooth one. Kincade marvels at how far Mancini has come in her two years as a wrestler.

“Brianne was a little apprehensive to start wrestling because she previously had a knee injury,” Kincade said. “I think once that she overcame the fear of getting hurt again, she started to wrestle lights out. It is amazing to see how far she has come in wrestling in two years. Being a two-time state placer really says a lot about her work ethic. I know that I am really proud of her along with her family and community.”

While wrestling is the only sport Mancini is involved in, she has another passion.

“Something I’m a part of that most people don’t know is that I’m in musical theatre, and I enjoy it quite a lot,” she said. “It’s a great community to be part of.”

After graduation, Mancini plans to attend cosmetology school in Little Rock. While it appears unlikely she will continue her wrestling career, Mancini said she has fond memories in her two years competing at the high school level.

“The most important thing I’ve learned from wrestling is that you could be the greatest wrestler in the world, but if you choose to lose hope in yourself before you go perform, you’ve lost the match before you’ve even started.” she said. “I think that’s a real-life aspect as well.”

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