MOUNT VERNON — Bling was the thing at halftime of the Mount Vernon High School football game on Friday night.
After the bands left the field, the near-capacity crowd had its attention drawn to the playing surface once again.
The Mount Vernon boys volleyball and the girls softball teams were recognized for turning in seasons that saw both in the state finals. Grapplers Alex Taylor and Ashlynn Brokaw were rewarded for their state championship wins, too.
The volleyball team placed second in the state in Division II. The season also featured head coach Chad Siveright notching his 100th win with the Jackets.
The girls softball team fell to Painesville Riverside 5-3 on a rainy Sunday afternoon to claim second place in the Division II state tournament. Coach Ryan Pentz also won his 100th game at the helm of the Jackets.
Almost like a kid on Christmas Eve, just before the halftime program, Taylor said, “We’re getting our rings at halftime.”
Brokaw, holding her ring, was appreciative of the support she received.
“It’s a pretty great achievement,” she said. “I’m actually very grateful for everyone I had to help me through it.
“Last year, I finished a little bit short, getting third. I lost in the semis.”
Brokaw said she had a daily, tangible reminder of her goal.
“We have our names on plaques in the wrestling room and where we placed,” she said. “I looked at those plaques every day and thought, ‘I’m going to do better this year.’ ”
Disappointment seems an odd word to describe a season for a wrestler who travelled to Brazil and then Greece to compete in the world championships.
“I thought I was the best in the world and I still think I can be,” Taylor said. “I’m looking forward to connecting with the team and being the best leader I can be. We have a lot of goals and we need to accomplish those.”
Wrestling on the world stage demonstrated to Taylor that there are no weak spots.
“Everyone is amazingly good and you just have to be ready for every single match. You cannot go into any match unprepared.”