West Holmes Wrestling Third at Cambridge Invitational, Youth Teams Shine

West Holmes opened the 2025 to 2026 season with a solid showing at the 12 team Cambridge Invitational on Saturday, December 6, scoring 176.5 points to finish third behind Louisville at 318.5 and Beaver Local at 193. Senior Louden Dixon, the reigning Division II 150 pound state champion, posted a perfect 5 0 record with three pins and two technical falls to win his third Cambridge title in four years. Coach Scott Vaughn named Dixon Knight of the Week following the tournament.

The varsity roster produced several deep individual runs, with seniors Peyton Martin at 126 and Gabe Umstead at 132 both placing third, and Dylan Sours taking third place at heavyweight. Camden McCluggage finished fourth at 190. Fifth place finishers included Colton Garver at 113, Liam Angle at 120, Lincoln Goans at 175 and Easton Ross at 215. Coaching staff praised the team depth and early season competitiveness while noting specific areas to improve as the schedule continues.

Youth and junior varsity competition bolstered the program over the weekend. Five West Holmes junior varsity wrestlers combined for a 16 1 record at the Blue Streaks Junior Varsity Duals on December 6, with several wrestlers finishing undefeated. The Holmes Area Wrestling Club Elementary Attack Team dominated OYWA Mid Ohio Division duals on December 7, extending its dual meet win streak to 46 and underscoring the strength of the local feeder system.

Beyond wins and placements, the results carry broader public health and community significance. Regular participation in organized sport supports physical fitness, mental health, and social connection for young people across Holmes County. The sustained success of the elementary and junior varsity squads suggests growing access to structured activity that can reduce disparities in youth health outcomes when programming is available to all families.

Sustaining that access will require attention to transportation, adequate facilities, and funding for coaches and programs so that athletes from every background can participate. As the season progresses, West Holmes will look to translate early competitiveness into postseason success while the community weighs how to support youth sport as a public health and equity priority.