High school freshman Ariah Mills is already making history with grit, determination, and a commitment to the grind.

Though he just began studying at Buford High School this year, Mills is already widely regarded as one of the most accomplished student athletes to ever attend the school. 

His sport of choice? Wrestling.

Mills first began wrestling at age 8, which he says is considered a late start within the sport. “Everyone starts wrestling when they’re really young,” he shares, “like four, or even three. I was a little behind when I started, but I liked it right off.”

It’s a sport that runs in the family. Mills’s father wrestled in high school, and his two older brothers hold State Champion titles at Mill Creek. And while Mills might not have started wrestling as early in life as some of his competitors, it doesn’t seem to be holding him back.

His accolades in 2025 alone are abundant. Mills was awarded the 2025 National Prep School Champion, despite only being in the 8th grade at the time. He also won Super 32, which is regarded as the most difficult high school tournament in the country, the Flo Wrestling Who’s #1 Challenge, which determines the best wrestler in the country, and was awarded the 2025 U.S. National Champion for Freestyle Wrestling. 

Additionally, he was the 2025 Under 17 World Champion for Freestyle Wrestling, where he competed against wrestlers from countries such as Iran, Russia, and Ukraine. Mills is the only wrestler ever from Georgia to win a gold medal in wrestling in a world level event.

However, despite his abundant accomplishments, those close to Mills share that he’s genuine, humble, and a pleasure to know.

“Ariah, from his very first day in my class, has always been someone who carries himself with joy,” shares teacher Becca Powell. “You can tell he is a confident young man, but in a way that shows humility.”

One thing in particular is consistent across everyone who speaks of Mills: he possesses an incredible drive that is impossible to ignore.

Social studies teacher Chad Roberts says that in the short time he’s had Mills as a student, his determination is palpable. “He continually wants to get better. He’s always watching film and looking for ways to master his craft. I’ve noticed how he is helping his teammates get better just by his attitude and commitment to his sport.”

That same determination extends to the classroom as well. “Sometimes when we have students move into Buford City Schools, there is a learning curve for them to adapt to the rules, rigor, and overall culture,” says Powell. [Mills] had no trouble with any of those components, and it is like he has been a student in our district his whole life. The hard work he brings to the sport of wrestling is evident in the discipline he brings in the classroom as well. He has a bright future ahead of him, and I am thankful to be his teacher this year.”

Despite only being a freshman, it’s clear that Mills has a passion and work ethic far beyond his years. Currently, Mills says that he practices four hours per day for at least four days a week in addition to his academic studies. He competes weekly for his high school, and currently is 13-0 undefeated. He also competes in 1-2 tournaments monthly.

It’s not an easy load, but Mills has big dreams, and he’s determined to get there — one competition at a time. After high school, he plans to go to college for wrestling, and is currently eyeing Ohio State, Penn State, or Oklahoma State. From there, the sky is the limit for Mills, who says that he loves competing at the highest level and hopes to one day represent Team USA at the Olympics. But he has another goal in mind after that.

“I’d love to be an Olympic champ,” says Mills, “and then after I’m done wrestling, I want to coach and also start a kids’ academy where I can help out little kids, because I love coaching. It’s a fun thing to do.”

When asked what he loves about wrestling, Mills shares that he definitely loves the competition, but he also loves the grueling hours behind the scenes.

“The hard work that you put in, that’s what I love about wrestling,” he says, “because it just shows you how far you’ve come. Of course you don’t start off very good, but you have to get better at it.” 

“I know where my family came from, what we did, we worked all the way up to the top, basically, it was just grind, grind, grinding, grinding, every single day, just hard work,” says Mills. “So when you know you’ve put in that hard work and it’s showing in your wrestling or whatever you do, you’re proud of yourself, and it just makes you want to keep doing it and keep doing it over and over again.”

“Your mentality in wrestling compares a lot to life,” he says, with a maturity beyond his years. “When you’re down, you have to come back and build back up.”

There’s no doubt that Mills will keep getting back up — and that Buford is proud to cheer him on as he continues going for gold.

Correction:
A previous version of this article stated that Ariah Mills was the first wrestler from Georgia to win a gold medal at a world-level wrestling event. While Mills’ achievement is historic and remarkable, he is the second Georgia wrestler to accomplish this feat. Sean Hage, a four-time GHSA state champion from Harrison High School, won a World Championship in 1994 and later wrestled collegiately at West Virginia University. We appreciate the clarification and thank members of the wrestling community for helping ensure accurate reporting.