Marysville’s Lauren Mobley (blue) tries to escape from an opponent during the OHSAA girls state wrestling tournament.
(Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)
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The opportunity to compete against national talent can be a humbling experience.
Several members of Marysville’s girls wrestling program competed on a national stage during the 2024 Air Force Special Warfare Junior National Duals and the 2024 USA Wrestling 16U and 14U national duals.
Four Lady Monarchs ventured to Tulsa, Okla. Competing under the team Ohio (Red/Blue) banner. Those wrestling in the freestyle dual tournament included Lori Grimes (170), Desi Lee (190), Cara Leng (145) and Addi Lyon (140).
The Civic Center had a lot to offer, according to Marysville Head Coach Shawn Andrews who traveled with team Ohio. While his Lady Monarchs struggled to collect wins, improving upon the foundation is the name of the game.
“I think the biggest thing is that you try and prepare yourself mentally going into it that you are going to get the opportunity to wrestling some of the best girls in the country,” Andrews said. “Very few people leave that tournament unscathed… but it’s being tested in that fire that helps you see where you’re at and where you can continue working and growing.”
Lee and Leng competed for the Ohio Red banner. The team finished the tournament placing third in the Bronze/Copper bracket.
Lee produced a 5-3 record while Leng went 1-7 in the tournament.
Grimes and Lyon competed for team Ohio Blue.
Grimes collected a 4-3 record and Lyon went 1-4.
The team representing Pennsylvania Blue came out on top in the Gold/Silver bracket placing first overall.
The Oklahoma-base tournament gave Andrews’ junior girls a chance to work on their skills. Compared to other national tournaments like Fargo, where an individual came quickly exit going 0-2, the national duals offered more matches.
“In Fargo, you can go out and go 0-2 and it’s a disappointment,” Andrews commented. “The losses stop at two whereas the duals can be pretty humbling because you have to keep putting yourself back out there.
I am just really proud of our girls who went and competed and who kept putting themselves back out there time and time again.”
In a separate location, other members of Marysville’s high school program competed in the USA Wrestling Women’s 16U Freestyle National Duals. The tournament was held at the Grand Park Events Center in Westfield, Ind.
Lauren Mobley (130) and Teagan McKinney (94) competed under team Ohio Red.
McKinney produced a 4-4 record in the tournament with Mobley going 2-6.
Prior to the 16U tournament, a pair of 14U grapplers also competed at the USA Wrestling Freestyle national duals.
Avery Riley (84) and Kendalyn Wilson (71) competed for team Ohio.
Riley produced a 4-4 record and Wilson went 6-2.
Team Ohio placed fourth in the Bronze/Copper pool.