Mitchell’s first trip as competitor results in No. 2 spot in D-III match

Triad’s Awsom Mitchell concluded his junior season on the mat as a runner-up in the Division III boys wrestling state tournament.

Despite suffering an 11-5 loss to Milan Edison’s Luke James, the Cardinal showed Ohio the resiliency of Triad wrestling.

“It’s a state final match so both guys in there are going to be really good,” Triad head coach Derek Sharp said. “I think Awsom went out and was ready to wrestle with no nerves. “He wrestled the best he could.”

“I am a little bit upset, but at the end of the day you can’t dwell on it too much,” Mitchell said. “The match is over and you can’t really think about it.”

All eyes were on the D-III wrestler who pummeled opponents on his way to the Parade of Champions Sunday night.

Triad’s Awsom Mitchell (black uniform) delivers a mat return to Milan Edison’s Luke James during the 175-pound state finals. The junior Cardinal fell short in an 11-5 final decision, finishing as the state runner-up.

(Photo by Aleksei Pavloff)

Mitchell went into the state tournament with a 51-1 record and added three more wins to his season.

The anticipated nerves suddenly left the junior’s mind and he was ready to battle.

“To be honest, the nerves went away and I was so focused on just going out there and trying my best to make everyone and myself proud,” Mitchell said. “It was a cool experience.”

Both 175-pound competitors were green to the championship stage at The Ohio State University’s Schottenstein Center. However, James had previous experience at the state tournament level.

The former Graham wrestler made the podium in his previous two seasons. In 2022, the then-freshman took fifth place at 165 pounds during the Division II tournament. He followed with a third-place finish at 157 pounds for the Falcons.

After the pre-show spectacle, it was back to business as usual.

Mitchell tied up with James, who worked his way to get the match’s initial takedown early in the first period.

Mitchell struck back by earning a reversal moments later to tie the bout at 2-2.

“His neutral game was really solid,” Mitchell said. “He didn’t seem like he was quick and fast… he caught me off-guard a few times.”

The official called a stall on Mitchell, who tried desperately to hold down James in the middle of the first period.

“When I’m on top I’m just trying to feel him out and see what he’s going to do and react,” Mitchell said. “I guess it could go both ways in my opinion with the stall call. At the end of the day, it’s the ref’s decision and I can’t change it.”

James later found an opening for an escape to take a 3-2 edge. He followed with another takedown late in the first period.

James chose the down position heading into the second period with a 5-2 lead.

Mitchell was forced to let go of James, who worked his way to his feet for another escape point.

The official added another point in favor of James after a stall call on Mitchell.

James took a chance on another double-leg shot and scored two more points.

At that point, the Triad grappler faced a 7-2 deficit midway through the second period.

Despite falling behind, Mitchell signaled for the bottom position to make up lost points at the start of the third period.

“At that time in the match, we were down five points and needed a near-fall to close the gap,” Sharp said. “We asked if he wanted down and he did. We said ‘alright, let’s get it.’”

“The reason I chose down instead of neutral was because I needed that point,” said Mitchell. “I knew he wasn’t going to waste his energy holding me down when he knew he had me beat at neutral.

“Going out there and getting that free point and potentially getting a feet-to-back move where I could secure the win was my best choice,” he said.

Mitchell added one point following an escape, but James retaliated with another takedown. Following one last escape by Mitchell, all James had to do was outlast his opponent.

The ultimate result went in James’ favor, who claimed his first state title with the win.

“I am proud of making it to this finals match,” Mitchell said. “It was on my goal sheets that we do… I wanted to get that win, but I was just proud to be here.

“I am thankful for my friends, family and everyone who came out to support me.”

“I am still really proud of him and his accomplishments,” Sharp said. “His career is not defined by one match.”

Throughout the tournament, Mitchell reacted the same way he did in the regular season by topping podiums and winning tight matches. From Sharp’s perspective, his leadership may outweigh his abilities on the mat.

“I think (it’s) the ability to be a leader, not just through his wrestling ability, but his leadership to his teammates,” Sharp said. “It’s seen from the coaching staff and the other wrestlers and it has helped him get to where he is today.”

In his second year as head coach, Sharp hopes other members of the program have that same desire to pursue a state tournament bid.

“I hope the team rallies around that,” Sharp said about Mitchell’s example. “We are never satisfied… we can always be better.”

“I get that it is a long and hard season,” Mitchell said, regarding what his fellow teammates will need to address if they want to reach the state tournament. “All this year I kept thinking I can’t give up yet and it has to be the same with them.”