EDITOR’S NOTE: This story was authored by Russell Peterson.

COLUMBUS — Mount Vernon is on pace for a historic finish.

The Yellow Jackets had a strong showing on Friday, opening day of the Division I state wrestling tournament. Senior 165-pounder Jake Taylor said the goal is to party like it’s 2006.

Mount Vernon placed fourth at the state meet that season.

“Hopefully, we’ll finish in the top five as a team,” Taylor said after earning a 7-0 win over North Canton Hoover’s Isaiah Fontes in the opening round. “We got fourth in 2006 and we want to try to replicate that.”

Taylor was one of four Yellow Jackets to earn opening-round victories. 

“You’re always nervous in the first round. This is my third time here and coming out of the tunnel, the nerves still hit you,” Taylor said. “But when you get on the mat, you can’t be afraid. You’ve just got to go after them.”

Taylor’s not the only one who believes the Yellow Jackets will have more to showcase this weekend. Junior, 157-pounder Maverick Gregory expanded on Taylor’s words after he had a dominant win of his own.

Gregory defeated his first round opponent 10-2, giving himself a boost of confidence for Day Two. 

“Having wrestled here before takes a lot of pressure off,” Gregory said. We work hard in the room and we’re always conditioning and doing stuff outside of practice.

“We’ve got tons of experience, I expect to win two tomorrow, too and get to the finals.”

It was not only the Mount Vernon boys who performed well, Ashlynn Brokaw, represented the Yellow Jackets girls’ squad. 

In just her freshman year, Brokaw finished near the top of her weight class, finishing third. Friday, as a sophomore, 105-pounder, she dominated her competition, winning via technical fall 19-3.

“I definitely feel a lot more comfortable knowing how it works. I know what it’s like and I’m not as overwhelmed with all the people,” Brokaw said. “There are more experienced girls. I think that’s good for the sport.

“I want to finish better than last year. I want to get a state title this year.”

The team is led by returning coach Corey Firebaugh. He was very proud of the amount of victories his team experienced on Day One.

Day Two of the OHSAA could be legendary.

Knox County grapplers

Centerburg’s Chris Marshall and East Knox wrestler Blake Elliott endured mixed results.

Both grapplers went 1-1 on Friday.

Each youngster is wrestling in Division III. Marshall is in the 144-pound division, while Elliott is at 190.