Newark Catholic wrestling holding King close in time of mourning

On Mar 11, 2023

COLUMBUS — It was an unthinkable tragedy that struck the King family during a time in the sports season that has been so special.

DeLane King arrived at Ohio State’s Schottenstein Center on Friday with an emotional wound still fresh, but the Newark Catholic assistant wrestling coach has been healing thanks to the support of countless people across Licking County. King’s brother Availeo “Jr” King died at the age of 27 on January 26, rocking not only the Lakewood school community, where the King brothers were graduates, but also Heath where they were raised and NC where DeLane King has become a fixture on the coaching staff.

“Wrestling is the one place where it feels like everyone has your back and you have their back,” DeLane King said. “It’s pretty surreal.”

Newark Catholic assistant coach DeLane King, front, shouts instructions with head coach Jake Nelson to Brendan Sheehan in a Division III 165-pound consolation match during the OHSAA state championships at Ohio State on Friday, March 10, 2023. The NC coaches were wearing shirts with the

The state tournament is a special place for the King family. DeLane was a two-time All-Ohioan at Lakewood, placing fifth in Division II at 171 pounds in 2011, a year after taking eighth at the same weight, and Jr was a state qualifier at 182 pounds for the Lancers his senior year in 2013.

At the time of the Jr King’s death and since, DeLane has received condolences from those across the Licking County wrestling community. Former Lakewood coach Rob Englert spoke at the funeral service and relayed many of the fond memories from those who competed with and against Jr King.

“It’s kind of the connection that I have to him right now is to do this, and it’s pretty special,” DeLane King said. “I have heard from kids he wrestled all the way through or even wrestled one time that reached out. … It’s the non-stop support. It’s a beautiful thing to be able to do this.”

Three NC wrestlers — seniors Brendan Sheehan and Griffin Halenar and junior Brian Luft — began Friday what they hope is a journey to the Division III state podium Sunday night. The Green Wave staff wore team polo shirts with a “Jr” decal on the sleeve while coaching matside.

Head coach Jake Nelson wrestled against DeLane King dating to their days in youth competitions. He had no doubt he and his staff had to show support for their assistant and his family.

“Jr was the that type of kid when he walked into the room you would gravitate toward him,” Nelson said. “He would have the biggest smile and would take the shirt off his back for anybody else. DeLane has become family over the last five years now. Having him here, he is a brother now. He is a wrestling dad to all of these kids.”

The NC wrestlers have followed the lead of the coaches, dedicating their season to DeLane King and the memory of Jr King. Their district runner-up team finish was a proud moment for their assistant coach, and the wrestlers were happy to provide him that.

“I got to meet Jr and roll around with him a couple times and have always been grateful for how much time and effort DeLane has given to the room even though it’s not his original school,” Luft said. “He is truly an inspiration, and I can’t ask for a better role model.”