Help Gavin Compete on the National Stage

Three years ago, my son Gavin Ashley took a shot at a sport he never wanted anything to do with in the past: wrestling. From the moment his foot first hit the mat, he was all in. He fell in love with the sport and made some of the most amazing friends amongst his teammates. Watching the way the sport has matured my son is amazing! That first year, Gavin went to every tournament he could, just for the experience; the “mat time.” As time went on, he started winning more often than losing. I’m not even sure he noticed the change!

In seventh grade, Gavin, being “ALL IN” still, wrestled up 2 weight classes and still continued to win more often than lose. Though the seventh-grade season didn’t end how we wanted, the growth was obviously there. He spent the summer at several camps, finding every practice he could and strength training in between.

This year, Gavin wrestled his last year as a middle schooler for Olmsted Falls at 116 pounds. He wrestled very well all through the season with a record of 7/0, becoming the SWC 116-pound wrestling champion. Of course, wrestling doesn’t end when the school season does. Postseason is go time! Gavin continued wrestling his heart out and has a record of 43 and nine overall for the folk style wrestling season. He made it to the OAC state tournament in only his third year of wrestling. That was a huge goal for him, making it to the big stage!

With folk style season coming to an end, Gavin decided to give Freestyle Wrestling a try. And boy, did he jump in head first! He has only wrestled two tournaments in freestyle, but the boy has gone to every single practice he had a ride to. At his very first tournament, he finished as the 120-pound champion, qualifying him for the freestyle State Tournament. One week later, we packed the car for a 3 1/2 hour trip to the Freestyle Wrestling State tournament. It was a long day. There were 2 to 4 hours between every match. He was exhausted but still went out on the mats and gave his all. He ended the day going 5/1 at his second tournament - the State tournament! Another big stage! He was so incredibly happy, and we, as his parents, were so proud! Overall, Gavin took third place, and we assumed the line ended there. Oh my goodness, we could not have been more wrong!

Typically, first and second place winners are invited to wrestle for the prestigious “Team Ohio”! This is INVITE ONLY. Well, Gavin had an amazing coach who is on the deciding board go to bat for him. Yesterday, we officially accepted Gavin‘s offer, making him part of Team Ohio!

Of course, this does not come without financial burden. Our biggest struggle is getting out to the national tournaments. The cost of team fees, gear, lodging, traveling, and eating can easily overwhelm anyone’s bank account! It’s such an amazing honor to have been hand-selected because of how much potential he has as a wrestler. My main goal is to make that National Stage a possibility for him. He works so hard at everything he does and truly deserves this amazing experience! Even if you can’t donate, please share and help our boy get out there and make his coaches proud! Nationals, here he comes!