Chisholm Trail High School junior Ethan Orat capped off an impressive wrestling season by becoming the only athlete across all four EMS ISD high schools to qualify and compete at the UIL State Wrestling Tournament for the 2024-25 season.
Wrestling in the 120-pound weight class, Orat finished the season with a standout 39-6 record — just one win shy of the 40-win milestone, an accomplishment reached by only a handful of Rangers in program history. He earned gold medals at five of seven regular season tournaments and placed second in the remaining two. Orat was named the 2025 district champion and advanced to the state tournament after finishing fourth at the regional tournament in Lubbock.
Orat’s trip to the state tournament marks the first for Chisholm Trail since 2019.
Now in his third year of wrestling and second on varsity, Orat’s success came not just from talent, but from grit and personal growth. Head Wrestling Coach Jacob Farleysaid Orat is one of the most competitive student-athletes he has ever coached — a quality that fueled this season’s achievements. But the journey wasn’t without challenges.
“Like most wins in life, some adverse times must be weathered with consistent work and people helping keep you on track,” Farley said. “Last year, Ethan had to miss competition due to grades, but he turned things around. He refocused and prioritized his academics with the help of his parents, coaches and support system.”
That commitment paid off. Orat has remained on the A-B honor roll throughout the year, earning praise from teachers for his work ethic and respectful attitude.
“We wouldn’t be celebrating his accomplishments on the mat if he hadn’t first committed to being better in the classroom,” Farley said. “Ethan is and continues to be an outstanding reflection of our school and our wrestling program.”
Orat’s resilience and determination serve as an inspiration to his teammates and the EMS ISD community. With one more year ahead, the future looks bright for this dedicated Ranger.
