The Mount Vernon News sports department’s 26th ATHLETE OF THE WEEK nominations continues the established procedure of spotlighting student-athletes’ skills and performances on the fields, courts and mats of action.
Based on performances, we ask ADs, coaches and the community to nominate one boy and one girl from their athletic programs to compete against other schools’ nominations. We ask for a recap of their worthy performances and a picture. Please send your nominations to me, Mike Blake, MVN Sports Editor, at mike.blake@mountvernonnews.com. Make sure YOUR school is represented.
This week, a Utica wrestler took on tough foes in the winner-take-all state championships and made it all the way to the final to bring home a silver medal.
MALE ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Wesley Wydick led Utica to a ninth-place finish among 83 scoring teams in the OHSAA State wrestling finals March 11-13 at Ohio State’s Jerome Schottenstein Center. Leading a trio of Redskins in the tournament, Wydick came into the competition with a 42-3 record and won three matches before falling in the final to an undefeated champion.
Wrestling in the 126-pound weight division, Wydick won the silver medal, losing to Miami East’s undefeated Max Shore (30-0) in the final by a technical fall. In the semis, Wydick defeated Logan Attisano (32-9) of Legacy Christian (12-4) by a major decision and in the quarterfinals, he pinned Covington’s Chase Venderhorst (30-3) in 5:19. In the first round, Wydick pinned Clayton Kramer (36-12) of South Range in 3:59.
Wydick’s career record with the Redskins is 141-31 with 105 pins. He is a three-time state qualifier (2020-‘21-‘22); 2022 State runner-up in the 126-pound weight class; 2022 LCL champ, district champ and sectional champ.
According to Utica sources, after graduation, Wydick plans to attend the Merchant Marine Academy and wrestle.
Utica wrestling coach Mark Rakoczy praised the OHSAA event and his top wrestler and said, “This weekend was magical, and it's something every kid that puts on a singlet and competes dreams of. Wesley walked through the state tournament like he belonged there … and he DID belong there. He held his composure, enjoyed the moment and let it fly. He used the energy from the environment and enjoyed every minute of this incredible experience.”
Rakoczy added, “Wesley is an irreplaceable student-athlete. He is one of those kids that every wrestling room dreams of having. He loves the sport, and he loves his teammates even more. What Wesley accomplished this weekend was truly inspirational and most deserving. Wesley has given his life up to this point to the sport of wrestling and this weekend he earned everything he was awarded. I could not be more proud of him and what he has accomplished, not only as an athlete but also as a student and young man. Wesley’s shoes will be big to fill after his graduation, and he is going to be greatly missed by his teammates and all of us coaches.”
Congratulations on a great week by our ATHLETE of the WEEK, Wesley Wydick, and congratulations to all local athletes for solid efforts.
To all local schools: Send us your athlete nominations for next week and show them and the community how much they mean to their schools.
