GIBSONBURG, Ohio — Girls wrestling will wrap up its second season as an Ohio High School Athletic Association-sanctioned event this weekend in Columbus. One of the fastest-growing sports in Ohio, the impact has paid dividends at Gibsonburg High School.
"I never expected to be ranked in the Top 4," Golden Bear junior Morgan Leonhardt said.
Last year, she joined the wrestling program following a hobby of weightlifting. Throughout her young career thus far Leonhardt has already secured 71 wins, including a 39-2 (35 pins) mark this season.
"It's amazing, she always wants to be in the room," head coach Greg Spoores said. "She's like 'Coach, can you open the weight room or wrestling room?' every day of the week if I'd let her. Some days I have to tell her you have to take a break."
The phenom's push for success is aided in how she got into the sport.
"Some of the boys were like 'wrestling isn't a girl's sport,'" Leonhardt said. "I wanted to prove them wrong."
Safe to say that mission has been accomplished. Not only has Leonhardt put herself on multiple podiums, but she is serving as a tool to get others on the mat at Gibsonburg.
"She's been a huge piece of the puzzle to helping build the program, helping get more girls out," Spoores said. "Continue to build the interest for our program."
He said the team is expected to grow to a dozen girls next year after starting with two.
Leonhardt is ranked 4th in the state of Ohio at 115 pounds after grabbing a Regional Championship on Sunday. The title also secured a bit of revenge as well.
"My finals match against Marysville's Cami Leng, I lost to her twice this season and knew I had it in me to beat her," Leonhardt said. "That's definitely what had me the most nervous, but I followed through and was able to pin her in the second period."
A boost of confidence that will aim to pair with a relentless work ethic heading into the final weekend of the high school wrestling season. Coming off a 4th place finish at State last year, experience hopes to prove beneficial too.
"I thought it was the best thing for her to step back and watch the finals take place to give her that new drive for this year," Spoores said. "Now she knows what it's like, what to expect and understands what she's working for."
The OHSAA State Wrestling Tournament begins Friday inside the Schottenstein Center and concludes Sunday with championship matches starting at 5 p.m.
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