Marysville’s Trent Sharp ties up with an opponent during the 16U Greco Roman state tournament at Ohio Northern University.
(Journal-Tribune photo by Kevin Behrens)
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Just because it’s the off-season, it does not mean there is time off.
Several local wrestlers are sticking to business as usual this summer. In Marysville’s case, members of the boys and girls programs have qualified for the 2024 U.S. Marine Corps Junior and 16U national competition.
From July 12 through July 20, local athletes will represent the state of Ohio in both the Freestyle and Greco Roman competitions.
In order to qualify for the national competition, athletes must place in the top six at a USA Wrestling regional site.
Another way athletes can guarantee a spot on the roster is by placing in the top two at a state tournament.
In some instances, those finishing in the next two places, third and fourth, will also qualify based on eligible spots in the tournament.
The closest regional tournament to Ohio was held in Fort Wayne, Ind., dubbed the Central Regional Championships.
Other athletes managed to qualify for team Ohio through the state freestyle and Greco Roman tournament held at Ohio Northern University in late May.
Those qualifying through the central regional tournament included Carson Mize (Junior, 175), Trent Sharp (16U, 132) and Desi Lee (Junior Women, 190).
Sharp also doubled his qualifying status by placing fifth in the central regional Greco Roman tournament.
Those qualifying in the state freestyle tournament are Carter Shank (16U, 157), Eliana Borjas (Junior Women, 130), Addison Lyon (Junior Women, 135), Cara Leng (Junior Women, 140) and Lori Grimes (Junior Women, 170).
Those qualifying in the state Greco Roman tournament included Berkley Behrens (16U, 126), Keegan Andrews (16U, 165) and Sharp (16U, 132).
Enrique Guerrero (285) was designated as an alternate on Ohio’s roster for the Greco Roman style.