Fairbanks High School wrestler Billy Reed-Bodey, left, works on a single-leg takedown against Marysville’s Zach McMinn. Both heavyweight grapplers will compete in their respective state tournaments this weekend. Pictured in the background is FHS coach James Kasser. (Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller)
Triad’s Isiah Leasure prepares to pin an opponent. Leasure, a 182-pounder, will compete in the Division III state tournament this weekend at Marion Harding High School. (Journal-Tribune photo by Kevin Behrens)
Two local wrestlers are preparing themselves for the pinnacle of their sport, the Ohio High School Athletic Association state tournament.
Billy Reedy-Bodey of Fairbanks and Isiah Leasure of Triad will each compete in this year’s Division III tournament that will be held at Marion Harding High School.
The tournament, which has been traditionally hosted at The Ohio State University’s Schottenstein Center, was broken down into three separate tournaments by divisions due to COVID-19.
Reed-Bodey, who wrestles as a heavy weight, was crowned a district champion last weekend.
That title title also gives him a No. 1 seed in the state bracket, where he will face the No. 4 seed out of Garfield Heights district.
Seth Phillips, a senior from Western Reserve, is bringing a 37-3 record into the bout, while Reed-Bodey still has an untarnished record of 43-0.
In preparation his debut at the state tournament, senior Reed-Bodey has changed his training.
Earlier this week, he made the trip to Marysville to train with its heavyweight, Zach McMinn.
McMinn is a Division I state qualifier.
Reed-Bodey said this week has been about getting his mind right.
“I have been going over my setup and just been trying to get my mind set right,” he said.
Regardless of who he is wrestling, Reed-Bodey is ready to face whatever the weight class will throw at him.
“I’m really excited,” he said. “I’m ready to compete against the top 16 wrestlers in the state.”
Leasure will be competing at 182 pounds and will open the state meet as the No. 4 seed out of the Troy District.
The seeding pits Leasure against No. 1-seeded Will Harsh of Bidwell River Valley High School.
Harsh is also ranked sixth in the state at 182 pounds.
Regardless of the ranking, Triad coach Mike Zizzo said Leasure will be ready.
“That ranking doesn’t matter to us,” said the coach. “Isiah is as determined and focused as I’ve ever seen him.
“After making it to districts last year, he has come back this season stronger than ever.”
Zizzo also believes this year’s sectional meet at Covington helped train Leasure for the type of competition he will be facing during the state tournament.
“Isiah placed third at the sectional and all three of those placers punched their ticket to the state,” he said.
And with this being Leasure’s first trip to the state event, Zizzo called in some help to get the senior grappler mentally ready to go.
“My son, Zack, was the last Cardinal to make it to states in 2017,” said the coach. “With only Leasure making it this year, he’s been having practices with Zack for the past two weeks.
“He’s getting advise and working one-on-one with him to help get ready.”
Zizzo believes the mental game will make the difference in Leasure’s success.
“If Isiah wrestles his match and doesn’t let the opponent get inside of his head, he will prevail,” Zizzo said.
The Division III meet is set to start at 10 a.m. Saturday with the second half of the weight classes (152-285) to start wrestling at 4:30 p.m. at Marion Harding.
The tournament will conclude on Sunday.