HILLIARD – Mount Vernon wrestler Emma Rinehart made history when she stepped onto the mat at Hilliard Davidson High School on Saturday, Feb 20.
Then she made a little more.
Rinehart became the first Yellow Jacket to participate in the OHSWCA Ohio Girls State Wrestling Championships. She was also the first Jacket to post a win, defeating Larissa Krantz of Cleveland Lutheran West. Although Rinehart dropped her other two matches for the day, it was an unforgettable experience.
Rinehart, who came in as a district champion in the 111-pound weight class, appeared calm and focused as she warmed up.
“She has a long history of doing wrestling tournaments, so this is nothing new to her,” Mount Vernon coach Nate Cornell said. “It is a state tournament, so the nerves were there. Whether it’s your first or your fifth tournament, the nerves are going to be there; but she did a great job when she got out there and the nerves kind of slowed down.”
Rinehart took Krantz down and rolled her over. At 1:16 of the first period, Rinehart became the first Yellow Jacket to pin an opponent in a girls state match.
“Once (Rinehart) got it locked up she did a nice job of being patient, getting into the right spot and working the right techniques to slowly put (Krantz) to her back,” Cornell said. “We always tell her, turn her (opponent) slow and pin her fast; and she did that to a T, so I was very impressed with that.”
Her first-match win was a testament to her hard work.
“This week, we really tried to focus on working on my main takedowns and turns,” Rinehart said. “So I went out there and I got her down and then I just kind of went into autopilot. I just knew what to do. I have been wrestling for a while. It’s just years of getting in the wrestling room and constantly practicing.”
Rinehart was pinned in her second bout with four seconds to go in the first period by eventual 111-pound runner-up Rita Carey of Brookville. In the consolation round, Rinehart lost a 5-2 battle with Logen Bowerman of Archbold that went the distance.
Making it to state is a great honor; but more importantly, Rinehart has helped to blaze a trail that she hopes other girls will follow.
“I think it’s huge,” Rinehart said. “I hope it makes an impact like (Jackets’ former assistant coach) Vanessa (Oswalt) has made on girls wrestling in Mount Vernon. This is a big accomplishment for myself and for other girls who are thinking about wrestling. I’m hoping that after today other girls decide that they can do it too.”
Oswalt, now a coach at Olentangy Orange, took part in the planning for the state meet. She continues to work with Rinehart in the offseason.
“Emma went out there and wrestled tough,” Oswalt said. “Her making it there and being a positive part of this growing sport, I know that she has embraced and loved every moment of it.”
