MHS senior Mize signs to wrestling program at The Ohio State University

A change in trajectory landed a local wrestling standout closer to home.

At one time, Carson Mize was committed to Cleveland State University’s wrestling program. But after the school announced it was one of three athletic programs being cut, the future for the senior Monarch became uncertain.

Following several visits, Mize made his decision to attend The Ohio State University and continuing his athletic career with the Buckeyes’ wrestling program.

Marysville’s Carson Mize dons an Ohio State singlet during his visit to the program earlier this year. The senior signed with the Buckeyes Thursday afternoon. (Photo submitted)

Mize, along with several Marysville athletes, signed to college programs Thursday at the high school. Despite this being his second time signing in front of a crowd, the feeling of finally knowing his path is a bit sweeter.

“I have an overwhelming amount of relief,” Mize said, adding several high school recruits feel the same way. “It is just that this time it was extra sweet [because] it was off of unfortunate circumstances where I had to bounce off of and my family had to make some really tough choices.”

Mize recalled times when he and his father took trips to St. John Arena to watch the Ohio State mat squad when he was younger.

“That was the dream for the longest time,” Mize said about being a part of the Buckeyes. “I am glad I can be committed, stick with a program and get to work.”

Mize re-engaged his recruiting process following the Ohio High School Athletic Association Division I state wrestling tournament in March. A three-time state placer, he placed fourth in his weight class at the state this past year.

The list his potential landing spots included NCAA’s Ashland (Division II), Findlay (Division II), Glennville State (Division II), Campbell University (Division I), Edinboro University (Division I), Ohio State (Division I) and George Mason University (Division I).

The senior spent much of Marysville’s spring break visiting several of those programs.

Going through the recruiting process a second time was not ideal, but the previous experience did lend foresight into Mize’s ultimate decision.

“The great thing is, yes there was a lot of stress with it, but the great thing about it was it was not my first time through it,” he said. “So, I kind of knew what to expect going into it, but there are definitely challenges.”

Mize said toward the end of every recruiting class, the opportunity to gain a scholarship — athletic or academic — gets low. Time was of the essence, but traveling needed to be done.

“That is purely based on the circumstances where you can’t really blame anyone,” Mize said. “And traveling was wearing on me… especially balancing that with school.”

The senior chose Ohio State for several reasons. For wrestling, their “faith-driven” nature went hand-in-hand with Mize’s values. The education was also an important factor as he pursues his studies in health sciences.

“The opportunities for connections and internships throughout the Wexner Medical Center and all around Columbus are huge,” he said, adding the last factor was being close to home.

As far as his wrestling is concerned, Mize understands what is expected. Flipping from a Division I Horizon League school to a Big Ten program is not uncharted territory, but he understands it’s a big step up.

“It’s a new challenge and that is exciting,” Mize said. “It’s weird, I am excited to get my butt chewed a bit.

“It is a group of people I want to grow in with and I am excited,” he said.

Mize plans on wrestling at the 174-pound weight class. Currently in that division for OSU is Carson Kharchla, against whom Mize will most likely dive into practice sessions.

“I’ve gone to his dad’s club for seven or eight years now and Carson and I are pretty tight,” Mize said. “I am excited to learn from him because he’s one of the best to ever do it with a block ‘O’ across his chest.”

Mize will be redshirting his first year in school to soak up as much information as he can and iron out his skillset. However, the possibility of representing Marysville in donning an Ohio State singlet is a vision for future.

“If anyone has ever been to an Ohio State dual, it is by far the most fun you’ll ever have with wrestling just because of the excitement and the energy in the air,” Mize said. “It is awesome to ‘rep’ the singlet with a bunch of other guys and you all think like-minded.”