Grapevine state wrestling champ moving up

Football coaches love their players to take to the wrestling mat in the offseason to pick up skills such as using leverage and endurance. They aren’t fond of their players dropping a lot of weight, but Grapevine nose guard and H-back Brian Andrews won’t fall into that category.

The returning state champion at 195 pounds last year is a growing boy. Through continued workouts and a two-inch growth since last year, Andrews will bump up to heavyweight (285 pound limit). He jumped the 220-pound division, now weighing about 252. A solid 252 pounds.

Most of those opponents Andrews beat along the way to the Class 5A state title last year have to be pleased to see him growing.

The rise from a natural 205 is predominantly muscle. His workouts continue nearly year-round and his 6-2 frame is still expected to add another few inches.

The challenge now, is to modify his style to adjust to bigger opponents.

“It’s a big difference,” Andrews said. “It’s a whole different style of wrestling. At 195, I was quicker and could do more of my moves. Now it’s more about using leverage and knowing how to wrestle in that high of a weight class.”

Just a junior, Andrews is looking ahead, too, and knows that learning to wrestle at the highest weight class now will make him better suited for a shot at wrestling in college.

His record of 17-1 as he won the title at last weekend’s Trojan Classic at Trinity shows he’s making the transition.

His only loss – to the defending 6A state heavyweight champion from Hebron – has already been avenged in the Grapevine Duals on Jan. 1-2. Andrews registered a 6-3 decision over the Hebron wrestler after losing a 1-point decision earlier in the season.

Being the biggest guy in the wrestling room can make it difficult to get a competitive workout in, though.

Over the holidays, Andrews was able to work with older brother Blake – a former Grapevine state champion and current Northeastern Oklahoma University wrestler, who’s ranked second in the country – and former Oklahoma standout wrestler Kendrick Hall.

On other occasions, Andrews coordinates with heavyweights from Plano East and other schools.

Practices, though, at Grapevine have become more intense in a different fashion than previously, with the addition of first-year head coach Matt Criner.

Criner, a former Arlington Martin coach, has brought a tougher workout and environment, Andrews said.

“He [Criner] has brought his own style to it,” Andrews said.

Now, Andrews and the rest of the Mustangs will begin focusing on the district tournament and a shot at qualifying for the regional tournament at Frisco Lone Star. The state tournament this year will be hosted in Houston.

The goal for Andrews is to surpass both brothers Blake and Jacob by adding a second state title to their single championship runs.

Andrews collected a sixth-place finish in his freshman year wrestling at 182.

This story was originally published January 11, 2016 at 3:10 PM with the headline "Grapevine state wrestling champ moving up."