Lincoln Christian's Hudson Farris has been a Bulldog his whole life.

From starting school as a young kindergartener.

To helping launch the wrestling program in elementary.

Farris has been there every step of the way.

He's left a legacy. In football. In wrestling. As a leader in the school.

And on Saturday night, Farris cemented his legacy as the best and a pioneer in the Lincoln wrestling program, as Farris became the school's first individual wrestling state champion.

Farris took the title in Class 3A at 138 lbs., capping off a stellar career with his best for last.

"It means a lot to be a state champion because I didn't let myself down," Farris said. "I put a lot of belief and confidence into myself this year so to be able to back that up means a lot."

Farris (37-9) was a 4-time state qualifier, but was unable to get over the hump the first three years.

But this year was different. 

Farris was the No. 3 seed to begin the bracket and opened the weekend with a 5-3 decision over No. 6 seed Jameson Allen from Sperry to move to the semifinals.

The senior then outlasted No. 7-seeded Luke Stinson from Lone Grove in a 4-2 decision to advance to the finals on Saturday night.

There, Farris faced off with No. 5 seed Spencer McClelland from Salina for the state title.

The senior had been working for this.

It was his time.

And he took full advantage.

Farris won 9-3 over McClellan, as the senior let out emotion and passion when the final match was over, celebrating with head coach AB Stokes and assistant Davey Dolan as the first ever in school history.

"To be able and cement my legacy as the first ever Lincoln state champion is probably the coolest thing I've ever done," Farris said. "I've been a leader of this team for years and have been a key building block to this program so to be remembered as the guy who started it all is really special."

It was special for Farris, who had come so close in previous years and in his last opportunity came through to stand on top.

"It's been the most difficult thing I've ever done," said Farris. "It's so hard to first get past the mental block that I can actually do it and then you have to pair it up with being able to wrestle your best when it counts at the state tournament."

"So I'm just greatful that I was able to accomplish that this year."

His coach agrees, as Stokes couldn't think of someone more deserving to etch their name in Lincoln history as the first ever state champ.

"It couldn't have been more fitting for Hudson to be our first-ever state champion," Stokes said. "Sometimes you hear a coach say, 'He does everything the right way,' and you wonder if they really mean it, but with Hudson Farris, that couldn't be more true."

"He genuinely does everything the right way. He shows up every day with a great attitude, competes with joy, and carries himself with humility."

Stokes bragged about Farris, not only as a wrestler, but as an athlete and a leader, who has set the standard for Lincoln wrestling.

"He's the definition of what it means to be a Lincoln Christian Bulldog," Stokes said. "He commits to summer pride, plays football, and then transitions right into wrestling without missing a beat."

"He never makes excuses, and he's always pushing his teammates to be better. Hudson isn't just a champion because of what he accomplished, he's the standard of our program because of who he is."

The senior feels similarly about his coaches, as it was fitting to him that they were right there to celebrate him and embrace him in the moments after capturing the title.

"I was super excited because these coaches have poured so much into me and this program," the senior said. "I felt I was finally able to repay them and make everything all worth it."

Farris not only capped off his football career with a third straight state title in December, but now has a wrestling championship of his own.

Which is something he hopes inspires people, considering it was his first tournament championship of the season.

"What will mean the most to me is the way people remember me," said Farris. "I want people to remember as the person and leader I was. I also want coaches and parents to be able to use my story as encouragement for their kids to know anything is possible because I never won a tournament until my last one."

The legacy Farris leaves Lincoln Christian with as he graduates this spring will be one that lasts.

But what will last even longer is the impact that being a wrestler at Lincoln had on him.

"I'm very thankful for Lincoln wrestling," he said. "It has shaped me into the young man that I am today."