Monarch boys grapplers will compete in D-I state tournament
Newcomers and veterans of Marysville’s boys wrestling program have lofty goals heading into the Ohio High School Athletic Association Division I state tournament.
Out of the six qualifiers, half of them will take their first steps onto the arena floor this weekend.
The Division I portion of the tournament is slated to begin Friday afternoon along with the other boys divisions (II and III) and the girls division.
Seniors making their return to the state tournament are Carson Mize (175), Boston Burkhardt (150) and Gage Counts (285).
They will be guiding newcomers and freshman Monarchs Oliver Fox (120), Berkley Behrens (126) and junior Trent Sharp (138).
Marysville began the postseason with seven freshmen in the lineup.
Fox and Behrens made it out of the district tournament at Hilliard Darby.
They are two of nine freshmen to ever qualify for the state tournament.
Carter Shank (157) placed fifth at the district and is a state alternate.
Head coach Nate Andrews analyzed the overall performance after the hectic weekend, adding the stress-filled emotional rollercoaster was something that benefitted the team.
“We put nine on the podium, which is a good feeling,” Andrews said. “We are right where we want to be building momentum for the next few years.”
Andrews was also pleased with the upperclassmen who were able to perform well enough to qualify for the state tournament.
Mize complimented the freshmen group, including Keegen Andrews and Jack Williams who placed in the top six at the district.
“These guys at a young age have shown tremendous growth and talent and have put it to fruition on the mat,” Mize said. “These young guys have exposed themselves to good competition before.”
Despite experiencing a drop in his perceived performance, Fox earned the chance to compete on the state’s biggest stage in just his first year at the varsity level.
Marysville’s Oliver Fox (right) celebrates, along with assistant coach Curtis Thompson (background), after defeating Olentangy Orange’s Tyler Della Rocco during the consolation quarterfinals at the Division I district tournament last weekend. The 120-pounder is slated to compete in the Division I state tournament this weekend, along with five of his teammates.
(Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)
“Honestly, when I realized I got the pin and qualified, I was just thankful,” he said about the match that guaranteed him a spot in the top four at districts. “I was so happy.”
Fox defeated Hunter Shupe of Upper Arlington with a third-period pin during the consolation semifinal.
Following the win, the freshman jumped into the arms of his coaching corner.
“When I did that, I didn’t really think… I just kind of did it,” Fox said. “I definitely felt like the hard work paid off because I was struggling up until this tournament.
“I felt I wasn’t going to do anything at the district tournament.”
The team gathered Monday for practice.
Fox had some conversations with a couple of the senior leaders, who shared what they have learned from their time at The Ohio State University’s Schottenstein Center.
“We have talked a little bit about the predictions and they said to not worry about it,” Fox said. “Even at the district tournament, Carson was saying none of the predictions matter.”
“I think it’s about getting them used to the environment and going from there,” Mize said.
The team has not had a freshman, let alone two, to qualifiy for the state tournament since Walker Heard during the 2014-15 season.
The only other time that two had qualified was in 2007 when Caleb Marsh and Jake McCombs qualified.
“The fact we had two of them get down the Schottenstein Center and two more on the podium is exciting times,” Andrews said.
Fox hopes that at the end of the day his preparation and career thus far will speak for itself on the stadium floor.
“I just want to wrestle my best,” he said. “For a freshman making it, I don’t expect to go far, but I just want to do my best and work so hard this week… my goals are to get a good win.”
Andrews hopes the two freshmen and Sharp, a junior, can continue their story.
“They are still writing their story so any kind of experience they can get on the Schottenstein floor is going to impact their future here,” Andrews said. “I think everyone has a chance at the podium.”
On the other side of the equation, Mize is entering year three of his state tournament resume.
The senior has placed in his other two state appearances.
He was seventh at 165 pounds as a sophomore and fifth (175) a year ago.
With that comes a high standard of competition from not only him, but the opponents he will be facing.
Mize claimed his third district title nearly a week ago and at the same time became the third member of the boys program to do so.
“It was kind of bittersweet,” he said, adding he has appreciation for the other Central District wrestlers. “Being able to accomplish that goal that I had eyes on for basically since the beginning of my sophomore year was awesome.
“I am just excited for my last go-around at state.”
Mize has high expectations for himself. It is either state championship or nothing as far as he is concerned.
“It is going to be a dog fight and should be fun to see,” he said. “(I) told you this team was special.”
Mize and his classmates Counts and Burkhardt will cement their legacy on Ohio’s biggest stage.
“All three of the guys have been there before and that to me should play a lot in their match warmup and routine,” Andrews said. “Now they are just there to compete and we have faith that all three of them will find their way to the podium.”
