MOUNT VERNON — Despite temperatures flirting with single digits, 21 teams from across Ohio braved the cold to etch their names in history as part of the first annual Mount Vernon Lady Jackets Legacy Wrestling Tournament at the Energy Fieldhouse on Sunday.
West Salem Northwestern took home the team championship trophy, while Mount Vernon’s Ash Brokaw added to her trophy collection.
The Yellow Jackets standout won the 110-pound weight class. Brokaw was also voted Outstanding Wrestler.
Jay DePolo, who multitasks as, not only the head coach but also Brokaw’s dad, pointed out that the junior wrestler has garnered attention well beyond the friendly confines of the Energy Fieldhouse.
“She is ranked number one in the state and Sports Illustrated has her at 15th in the nation,” DePolo said.
Besides Brokaw’s championship, the host school placed six wrestlers in the top five.
Freshman Luci Parker at 100 pounds placed fifth. At 115 pounds, also placing fifth was sophomore Evelyn Martinez. Senior Mahayley Laverick finished fourth at 130 pounds. Completing the Lady Jackets who placed in the top five were, Sophomore Alivia Zimmerman placing fourth at 145 pounds and senior Khidija Ndow was fifth at 170 pounds.
As a team the Lady Jackets placed seventh.
DePolo explained the genesis for the name of the tournament.
“We started the team three years ago, we wanted to set a legacy for the girls coming up,” he said.
DePolo credited one person in particular for the success the Mount Vernon program has experienced in its infancy.
“Vanessa Oswalt was instrumental in girls wrestling, not only in Mount Vernon but in the state and even nationwide,” the coach said. “She has always been a huge advocate and we even have the Vanessa Oswalt Legacy Award.”
DePolo estimated the onlookers at “several hundred, but the Energy Fieldhouse is so big, you could have 500 people in there and it would look empty.”
DePolo was pleased with the inaugural tournament.
“There will be a second one planned for next year, for sure,” he said.