COLUMBUS — Mount Vernon’s Ash Brokaw weighs just 110 pounds.
Alas she’s already conquered a mountain, twice.
The Yellow Jackets junior dynamo captured her second state wrestling championship on Sunday — achieving two-thirds of her career goal. She aims to become a three-time state champion before she’s through.
But that can’t happen for at least another year. Sunday was the time to rejoice.
“You just have to block out all of the noise and focus,” Brokaw said after her second straight journey to the top of the podium.
Experience is something that can be gained only by, well, experience.
“It definitely helps,” Brokaw said of experiencing the environment surrounding the state championship for the second time.
Last week, Brokaw said there was nothing that would keep her from winning her second state championship. Emma Gorrell from Warren High School had other ideas, but those were emphatically dashed.
Brokaw seemingly had little trouble defeating her opponent, 13-4 to take the crown back to Mount Vernon. In fact the wrestler had a more difficult time getting to the final round, than in the final round.
In a triple overtime thriller on Saturday, Brokaw defeated Presley Sandobal 4-3.
“The pressure is off, now we can relax and celebrate,” beamed a proud coach and dad, Jay DePolo after the final whistle blew. “We really weren’t too surprised. We had faced (Gorrell) a couple of times before so we knew what to expect.”
Brokaw said there is no real secret to preparing for a state title. The pomp and circumstance surrounding the prestigious event, including being introduced one at time as they exit a tunnel to the roar of several thousand fans is something she was expecting.
DePolo said that there was a game plan, and Brokaw followed it.
“We knew if she could stay on her feet that would be one key,” DePolo said. “Ash is pretty much unstoppable on her feet.”
What is next for the two time state champion?
“Being a three time state champion,” she said.
(Photos by Jack Slemenda)
