Knox Pages will select one student athlete to be recognized as the Park National Bank Athlete of the Month during the 2023-24 school year. Nominations for Athlete of the Month are accepted from Athletic Directors and Coaches, but are ultimately chosen by Knox Pages and are based on the student’s exceptional athletic performance, effective teamwork and achievement in their communities. Park National Bank is proud to support this initiative and is giving the athletic department of each school $1,000 in honor of each athlete chosen.
MOUNT VERNON – For Alex Taylor, it’s all about wrestling.
When he works out, it’s to be stronger on the mat. When he eats, it’s only foods that will maximize his energy. When he sleeps, it’s to recover for the next round of wrestling training.
The goal: One that has never been achieved at Mount Vernon High School.
Win a state championship.
“I have a mindset that, if I reach a final, I never lose a final,” said Taylor, who was named Knox Pages Park National Bank Athlete of the Month. “You just have to finish hard and find a way to win.”
If numbers are any indication, Taylor has a decent shot. According to DubStat’s ELO rankings, Taylor (15-1) is currently the top-ranked 215-pound wrestler in Ohio. He has won bouts in every dual so far and has finished first in every tournament except one.
Taylor’s sole loss came at the Brecksville Holiday Tournament on Dec. 30. Taylor lost to Brady Quillin of Olentangy Liberty, who is currently DubStat’s No. 2 ranked wrestler.
“It’s a bout I should have won,” the confident Taylor said. “I’ll just have to come back and beat him later.”
Taylor’s regimen keeps him in shape not only physically but mentally. He hits the mat almost every day, and works with weights every other day.
On those free moments when he isn’t thinking about wrestling (which is almost never) Taylor can be seen hunting, fishing or swimming. His version of relaxing, it seems, is more physical activity.
But, those moments are rare. Taylor is laser focused on getting better as a wrestler.
“My dad has always pushed me to the next level. And my mom and dad are always pushing me to drive hard,” Taylor said. “(They gave me) the hate of losing. I hate to lose a match.”
“I love the example he sets,” Mount Vernon head wrestling coach Corey Firebaugh said. “The things he does year round, not just for the team, but for the middle school and the youth. Even though he’s a sophomore, that filters up and down through the whole program.
“It shows them the hard work that it takes to get to the state level, or whatever your goals are. If you want to accomplish your goals, you can reach them with hard work.”
Out of high school, Taylor plans to study in college to be a dermatologist. He hopes wrestling will help pay for his schooling. He told Knox Pages he wants to wrestle in the Big Ten, but specifically, “somewhere in Ohio.”
Last season, Taylor finished literally one victory away from a state title. After rolling through the sectional and district tournaments, Taylor lost his opening bout at the state tournament in Columbus, dropping him to the consolation round. Undaunted, Taylor won his next five matches over three days to finish in third place.
Taylor was the only freshman to qualify for state in any of the top five weight classes. He’s only the seventh Division I 215-pound freshman to reach state in history.
“My dad has always put me in divisions above me, to push me to the next level,” Taylor recalled. “I’m never the oldest kid in my weight. I was a young freshman and I felt no pressure. I was used to it.
“Now, I feel more confident. I think I’m more untouchable this year than last year.”
Seventy-one times, a Mount Vernon wrestler reached the state tournament. Nineteen of them reached the podium. Five came in second.
Taylor believes he’ll be the first to climb all the way to the top.
“The only thing that can be better than winning a state championship for my school, is being the first to win a state championship,” Taylor said. “It means everything. I know what it takes. It’s going to take some work. But that’s what I’m focused on.”
