Greenwood wrestler Farah Crossno doubles up on state title wins as a junior

As a freshman two years ago, Farah Crossno made history as the first girls wrestler from Greenwood to win an individual state championship. Her bid to repeat last year came up short, so Crossno did everything in her power to recapture the glory of 2023. She succeeded in doing that, and then some.

Earlier in March, Crossno won her second state title, winning the 5A 100-pound weight class, and was also named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Wrestler. Several weeks later, she competed at the state Overall tournament, and claimed first place in the 6A 100-pound class.

“Winning state in 2023 was unexpected and came with no pressure,” Crossno said. “After that victory carried over into the 2023-2024 season, I felt immense pressure to repeat, but I lost and placed third. Determined to prove my first win wasn’t a fluke, I worked harder than ever.

“(This season at state) I finally felt able to tap into a more confident headspace. In previous years, I was led by nervousness, but this year, I felt assured in my ability to win. … Winning state again in 2025 was a huge accomplishment – proof that my dedication paid off.”

Crossno’s other key to finding her form was to, simply put, just believe in herself.

“I knew this year, I had to break free from the negative mindset that dragged me down during my sophomore season,” she said. “I needed to give myself credit – I am a good wrestler, and I’ve been working harder than anyone else this season.”

And then taking first at Overall was just the cherry on top for Crossno, who finished her junior year with a 50-8 record. It also continues what has been a family legacy, as her older brother, Tyler, won three state titles and was Most Outstanding Wrestler in one tournament.

“I’m catching up to him in state titles, and I’m hoping to tie his record,” she said.

Seeing Tyler wrestle made Farah want to pick up the sport and see what she could do herself.

“I used to go to my brother’s wrestling practices and tournaments,” she said. “In 2014, I went up to my dad and told him I could do it, too. That’s when I started wrestling boys, and I kept at it until my freshman year of high school.”

But as far as she is concerned, Crossno defines wrestling success in not tangible rewards like trophies but the relationships and interactions she has developed with others.

“To me, success isn’t necessarily defined by titles or trophies,” she said. “I feel successful because I’m surrounded by people who genuinely believe in me—my coaches, teammates, family, and even strangers. They root for me, lift me up on tough days, and continually push me to improve for tomorrow.”

Crossno is equally proud of the Lady Bulldog wrestling team, which took fifth at state.

“My team has always been the boys’ wrestling team – I never had girls by my side until my freshman year, and having a girls’ team means a lot to me,” Crossno said. “This year, we have a small but mighty girls’ team. Six of us qualified for state; two earned runner-up finishes (Afton Bridges in 170; Brianne Mancini in 190), one took fourth place, and two didn’t place but had the chance to compete. They’ll come back stronger and better next year.”

However, Crossno is not all wrestling, all the time. She also plays on Greenwood’s soccer team as a three-year varsity starter.

Crossno is also planning to compete in a national event this summer in Fargo, N.D. Then later this year, entering her senior year at Greenwood, Crossno is ready to pursue a third individual state title and tie her brother.

“It’s incredibly rewarding to win state again because I wanted that second title so badly,” she said. “I traveled everywhere to face tougher competition and greater challenges, so when I won, I felt immense relief that all my hard work had paid off.

“But I’m not finished yet – you won’t see me slowing down because I still have one more year to go.”