The Mount Vernon wrestling team is coming off a season in which they went 5-3 in dual meet action and Coach Corey Firebaugh hopes that with a solid core of 13 returning letter winners they can put together a strong 2022-23 campaign. The team started the season strong, wtth a second-place finish at the John Brown Invitational.
“I think we are going to have a pretty balanced team once we get all of our pieces in the right place,” Firebaugh said. “Wrestling is a marathon not a sprint, so we have to be patient and focus on getting better every time we step on the mat. We are definitely going to lean on our upperclassmen and more experienced wrestlers to show the younger guys in our lineup how to handle high school wrestling.”
The team has a returning state qualifier in junior Brock Blankenhorn, who boasted a 33-13 record. Mount Vernon also has four returning district qualifiers in senior Rylan Firebaugh, junior Kyler Howard, and sophomores Jake Taylor and Karter Harris. Emma Rinehart is a two-time state qualifier and placed third at last year's girls state tournament.
“We did lose a very talented senior class last year in state placer Colton Spurgeon, state qualifier Nate Stradley, and district qualifiers Dylan Hartman, Gabe Shannon, Connor Lang and Zach Thomas,” Firbeaugh said. “I feel that we have the talent in the room that can step in and fill some of the big shoes that need filled. We are counting on all of our upperclassmen, and state/district qualifiers to lead the team and show them the amount of work and sacrifice that it takes to be successful at the high school level. We will be counting on Rylan Firebaugh, Charlie Bell, AJ Fonner, Brock Blankenhorn, Emma Rinehart, Aden Burdulis, Jake Taylor and Karter Harris.”
Also making the state meet was sophomore Blake Elliott of East Knox. Elliott is the lone wrestler for the Bulldogs and is also coached by Firebaugh. He has trained in the program since youth wrestling. With East Knox not having enough wrestlers to field a team, he is allowed through OHSAA rules to train with a neighboring school such as Mount Vernon.
“Blake had a great freshman year by being a conference champion, sectional champion, district runner up and state qualifier,” Firebaugh said of Elliott, who was 30-9 on the season individually. “I am excited to see where Blake's Sophomore year will take him.”
Firebaugh said this year’s squad had a solid freshman class. The Yellow Jackets have three junior high state placers, including junior high state champion Alex Taylor, Luke Mullins, who placed third, and Mavrik Gregory, who placed seventh. Other freshmen to watch are Preston Hempfield, Josiah Colon, Tye Thomas and Grady Row.
“There are 13 freshmen in all, and as a class they have had a lot of success in youth and middle school wrestling, but they know the challenge that lies ahead for them and I am confident that they are up for it,” Firebaugh said.
Firebaugh has been coaching in the Mount Vernon Wrestling program for 22 years, but this is his first year as the varsity head coach. He coached youth wrestling when he was starting a family, and when they grew up he started coaching at the middle school level. Last year he was the assistant coach.
“A little unconventional in the way of becoming a varsity head coach, but I wouldn't change it for anything,” Firebaugh said. “It definitely has given me an appreciation for teaching all levels how to wrestle.”
Firebaugh explained that during the opening weekend of the season the team had a 24-hour “lock in” at the field house, where they worked on creating a positive culture.
“Be a leader in the room, in the school, at home, be a good teammate, and be accountable for everything that you do each day,” Firebaugh said.
Firebaugh said he wants the wrestlers on his team to focus on improving on a daily basis rather than getting caught up in wins and losses. He said the goal is to focus on getting better and wrestling their style. He is instructing the team to attack and wrestle hard for six full minutes, which he said can lead to good things in a match.
“I expect our team to wrestle hard every time out and focus on improving and becoming a better wrestler and person,” Firebaugh said. “I also want our team to have fun while they wrestle; sports are supposed to be fun. I also remind them not to take this time of their life for granted because you only have so many matches in you.”
On Dec. 2, the Yellow Jackets opened the season for the Second Annual John Brown Memorial at the Energy Fieldhouse. The Jackets finished second to Dublin Coffman, among 17 scoring teams. Mount Vernon had one first-place finish, four seconds, two thirds and a fourth. Mavrick Gregory won for Mount Vernon at 150 lbs. and East Knox’s Blake Elliott won at 190.
The next match for the Jackets is this weekend at the SWOCA Coaches Classic, Saturday and Sunday at Talawanda High School at 9 a.m.
