SPARTA – It almost seems like a normal season now that the calendar has turned from December to January.
That’s what worries Highland wrestling coach Adam Gilmore. He doesn’t want his team to forget that there’s a pandemic. It’s on his mind constantly.
“You can get thought thinking that (it’s a normal season) … and I have a couple of times,” he said. “Then the next thing you know is you have a couple of guys quarantined for one reason or another. It’s easy to get comfortable. But you’ve gotta realize that you can’t let your guard down. You gotta keep doing all the protocols right. I keep telling the kids they gotta keep their social circles tight and small.”
On the morning of Thursday, Jan. 13, the Ohio High School Athletic Conference announced updates for winter tournaments at its board meeting. That night, the Fighting Scots hosted Utica and Shelby, with Mount Gilead participating as well.
Highland split, defeating Utica 39-18 before being edged by the Whippets 40-36. Mount Gilead also split, defeating Utica 35-33 after falling to Shelby 45-21.
The state wrestling tournament will not be held at The Ohio State’s Jerome Schottenstein Center this season. Instead, the OHSAA is looking for three sites in the central Ohio area, with each location hosting a division.
The district and state meets will be split into two sessions with seven weight classes apiece. Spectator limitations will be announced once the sites are determined.
“It’s gonna be interesting down the home stretch,” Gilmore said. “We just got to get the guys ready, and they’ve done a good job adapting to the situation.”
This year hasn’t been normal, not by any stretch of the imagination. Schedules are changing on an almost daily basis. Division III schools are facing Division I and II schools just to get something scheduled.
“You’re seeing teams right now picking up duals (because) this team dropped out, so they’re picking up another team,” Gilmore said. “That team can’t come or some events are getting canceled because they have to quarantine. You got two teams looking for places to go on certain days … it’s been crazy. And we’re only in the second week of January.”
Caleb Wetzel (126 pounds), Bryce Schott (138), Cody Matthews (160) and Eli Grandstaff went undefeated on the night for Highland.
For Mount Gilead, the dog days of January are about breaking up the monotony.
“We’re doing all these little tournaments and a lot of weigh-ins,” Mount Gilead coach Mike Williamson said. “I’m worried that it’s starting to grind on the guys. So we’re trying some different stuff. Next week, we’re gonna go to the pool — take a day and get healed up, just to break it up a little bit.
“They’re mentally prepared; whether it’s one match in a dual or five matches on a weekend, it’s all the same (mentally). So you really gotta break it up and do some different things just to keep the guys fresh.”
Jesus Rubio and Andy Williamson (182) both went 2-0 on the night. Williamson has yet to lose this season after qualifying for the state meet last year.
Utica’s Wesley Wydick (120) and Clayton Smith (132) had perfect nights as well.
