Licking Valley sophomore wrestlers adding names to state Wall of Fame

On Mar 8, 2023

HANOVER ― State wrestling qualifiers from various schools, others who came close to making it, and former Licking Valley stars filled the mats in the Panthers’ room on Tuesday.

They were helping get ready for this weekend’s state tournament at Ohio State University’s Schottenstein Center, to be held Friday through Sunday, and a pair of Valley sophomores were getting a taste of the experience for the first time. Regardless of what happens, their names will be added to the room’s state Wall of Fame.

A youthful Panthers’ wrestling team came of age this winter, not only winning the Licking County League again, but sending all 14 to the Division II district at Norwalk. Only two emerged to make Columbus, as sophomores Aiden McMahan (106) and Luke Conaway (150) won their go-to matches and placed fourth. Of course, coach Jeremy Tate was hoping for more, but he was not discouraged.

Licking Valley sophomores Luke Conaway (left) and Aiden McMahan will have their names added to the Panthers' Wall of Fame in the wrestling room, after their first state tournament appearances this weekend.

“I thought it would be a rebuilding year, but I have not had a kid not make the state in forever,” said Tate, a two-time state champion. “I was not sure we would have any. I told people, ‘We could get zero, or could get four or five.’ I was happy with two. They were two of the five I though could get out, or have a chance. It was a really solid district, about what I expected. I wrestled up there, only at Galion instead of Norwalk and they usually have six to eight real solid teams, where Wilmington usually has better individuals.”

Tate is not worried about his wrestlers being young in age, because they already have a lot of experience on the mats. “Both of these guys came through our biddy program and have been wrestling like since first, second or third grade,” he said. “We won the league and took 14 to the district, and everyone had at least three or four years experience. There were no rookies.”

McMahan (36-13) placed third in the LCL tournament and second at the sectional, and won a title at Clyde. At Norwalk, he reached the semifinals and lost, but rebounded for a pin in his go-to match before falling in the third-place bout.

“I took the kid down twice in 15 seconds in the third-place match, and I had trouble with him before,” McMahan said. “I’ve gotten better on my feet, and on the bottom, and have gotten better every tournament. It (the state) has been my goal from the beginning. I’m going to be nervous, but I’m just going to try my hardest.”

Tate noted that McMahan had trouble making weight last season as a freshman and wound up being a backup. But he added weight during the summer. “He’s always had the ability and knows the moves,” he said. “He’s getting better every week. The biggest thing with him has been confidence, and you can see it in his recent matches.”

Conaway (35-13) had to battle his way back to the state after losing in the second round at Norwalk, and did so with a vengeance. He scored two major decisions, then a pin in the go-to match before losing in the third-place bout.

“It was definitely a goal, and that I could get it if I wanted it bad enough,” he said. “But it was still not real what happened, after losing in the second round. I was surprised how well I competed, and just tried to keep going when I had to. It was definitely a surprise, and it just shows how the hard work in the practice room pays off.”

“The best thing for him was, the last two years, he’s had to go up against (Devyn) Boyd, Alijah (Stevens), (Conner) Roback and (Crae) Muzykoski as partners,” Tate said. “It’s made him a lot better. He finally decided that he could be a good wrestler.”

As four seeds, the super sophs have their work cut out for them Friday. McMahan takes on district champ Javaan Yarbrough (34-2) of Copley in his first match, while Conaway wrestles district winner Eli Jacks (37-6) of powerhouse St. Paris Graham.

“They both drew studs,” Tate acknowledged. “No matter what I tell them, they’re going to be nervous. They just need to get that first one under their belts, then see what happens.”

Whatever transpires, they both will have experience in the bank, for a Valley team that figures to be even more formidable next season. “The next few years are going to be an exciting time for wrestling around here,” Tate said.