Coach Wood joins the Gravette Lions with a strong background in both competitive running and coaching at the high school and collegiate levels. A native of Arkansas, Coach Wood was a standout runner in high school, earning All-Conference honors in cross country and helping lead his team to back-to-back State Runner-Up finishes. On the track, he was a four-time state qualifier in the 800m and 4x800m relay, earning top 10 finishes at the state meet.

He went on to compete collegiately at the University of the Ozarks in Clarksville, Arkansas, where he earned Runner of the Week honors in the American Southwest Conference and was named the team’s Male MVP for the 2016 Cross Country season. On the track, he medaled in the 3000m steeplechase, placing 3rd in the conference as a freshman.

Coach Wood began his coaching career at Berryville High School, where he quickly made an impact. Under his leadership, both the boys’ and girls’ cross country teams produced All-State runners, and the track program saw consistent state qualifications in the 4x800 relay and the 1600m for both boys and girls.

Most recently, Coach Wood served as the Head Cross Country and Interim Head Track & Field Coach at Tabor College in Hillsboro, Kansas. In just one year, he coached three national cross country qualifiers and helped athletes break multiple long-standing school records in events such as the 800m, 3000m steeplechase, race walk, and high jump — including an All-American and NAIA #1-ranked high jumper.

Coach Wood is engaged to fiancée Sydney Pyle, and the two are thrilled to be joining the Gravette community. With his passion for developing student-athletes and his proven track record of success, Coach Wood is excited to lead the Lions Cross Country program into a new era.