The Mount Vernon and East Knox wrestling teams are coached by Corey Firebaugh, as the teams train together, and each team brings back quality athletes who are looking to make waves this season.
Firebaugh has been coaching at all levels in the Mount Vernon wrestling program for 23 years, and this is his second year as the high school head coach. The team is coming off a season where they were 6-0 in duals, the Ohio Cardinal Conference champions and Sectional champions.
“Our goals are the same each year: win the conference, and have the kids get better each day so they are prepared for the post-season series,” said Firebaugh. “My philosophy as a coach is for the kids to get better every day, work hard, push each other, be a good teammate, and enjoy the sports while you have the opportunity to wrestle.”
Firebaugh said there is plenty of depth on the team this year, so this will lead the athletes to push each other to be the best they can be. This season there will also be a freshman group who Firebaugh expects to contribute to the Varsity Orange team.
“I am excited for that group to learn and grow together as the season goes on,” Firebaugh said.
Looking at the schedule, Firebaugh sees several big tournaments including the North Canton Holiday Tournament, the nationally recognized Brecksville Holiday Tournament and the Maumee Bay Classic.
The Yellow Jackets have also been invited to the State Dual series where the top 10 teams in the central district attend. The preliminary round is on February 3 and if they make the top two, the state duals will be on Feb. 10. The OCC Conference tournament takes place on Feb. 17.
The first boys’ meet is the John Brown Memorial on Dec. 9 at 9 a.m. at home.
The first girls’ meet takes place on Dec. 9 at 9 a.m. for the Hamilton Twp Girls Classic at Hamilton Township High School.
MV Returning State Placers:
Brock Blankenhorn (senior) - 6th place and is in line to reach the 100 career win mark
Alex Taylor (sophomore) - 3rd place
Emma Rinehart (senior) - (2x placer- 3rd in 2022, 7th in 2023)
MV Returning State Qualifiers:
Mavrik Gragory (senior)
Jake Taylor (junio )
MV Returning District Qualifiers:
Preston Hempfield (sophomore)
Aden Burdulis (junior)
Mason Mitchell (junior) - 6th place at Districts
Kayden Packard (junior)
Kyler Howard (senior)
Luke Mullins (sophomore)
MV Newcomers to the Varsity Team:
Dalton Curtis (junior)
Camden Firebaugh (junior)
Hayden Higgins (junior)
Josiah Colon (sophomore)
Tye Thomas (sophomore)
East Knox (Training with Mount Vernon but enter tournament as East Knox):
Blake Elliott (junior) (2x state qualifier)
Dmetrius Negron (senior) - first year wrestler
MV Girl's Wrestling:
This year there will be a full wrestling program for girls this season, with Firebaugh as the head coach but Coaches Jay Depolo and Tyler Bevington spending most time with the team at competitions.
“We currently have 8 girls on the team, which we are very excited about,” Firebaugh said.
The team is led by 3 time state qualifier, and 2 time state placer Emma Rhinehart. The Yellow Jackets also have Freshman Ashlyn Brokaw, who was a 3 time middle school girl's state champ. Firebaugh is excited to see them both on the mat this season. The other girls are Izzy Clark, Renay Davidson, Mahayley Laverick, Khadija Ndow, Jayden Hamilton-Dilts, Ella Kennedy.
