The OHS wrestling team’s season started with the goal of state, however the closest the team came to this goal was with two wrestlers, a match away from placing.

The 2015-2016 wrestling team did not have any wrestlers place in the state tournament, placing requires a top-6 finish.

Two wrestlers, Cruz Crawford, junior, and Mariner “Quade” Merrill, sophomore, were both a match away from placing.

Other wrestlers also attended including junior wrestler Aaron Mayer who had a close match the first night of state but lost. Joe Cotton, junior, and Brett Phillipy, senior, also attended state, but did not place losing their first matches as well.

Kevin Deutsch, assistant coach and earth science teacher, was very impressed with Merrill because he broke his hand in January meaning he missed four weeks and only practiced six times for state.

“Some of the kids are just strong kids that need to continue to get their technique sharper and sharper. That’s what we do in the off season,” said Le Roy Rowser, assistant coach. “Of those kids they either displayed leadership, the ability to take charge, youth and strength. All of them worked very hard in the training room.”