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State Champion – Parsons Dominated The Competition At Ford Field

Ovid Elsie sent 4 athletes to Ford Field for the individual wrestling state finals this year on March 4th and 5th.

Talan Parsons, sophomore, brough home the State Championship for 103# weight division.

103lbs Talan Parsons (So), 119lbs Cole Workman (So), 105lbs Sharla Juhas (Sr), and 125lbs Sam Grubaugh (Sr). Parson and Workman both returned to the state meet this year following a stellar Freshman campaign.

Parsons, Juhas and Grubaugh also met the standard for academic all-state as individuals by their high grade point average and being state qualifiers. This is pretty cool for these student athletes to be recognized for this accomplishment in the classroom.

Talan Parson finished his season as the Division 3 103 lbs state champion. He is 37-1 in the season. He place 1st at Districts and Regionals also.

Round 1 Parsons pinned Maverick Rivard of Pinconning in 1:15. Quarterfinals Parsons tech falled Tanner Land of Imlay city in 2:26.
Semifinals Parsons pinned Chris Campbell of Algonac in 1:30
Finals Parson major decisioned Landon Sopha (53-1) of Yale 9-0.

Talan Parsons dominating his way into a state championship

Parson was overjoyed with his win and celebrated immediately after his match by hugging his mom and then jumped up in the stands to hug his day. ”It was pretty cool coaching a state finals match especially when Talan was so dominant throughout the tournament. He was in command of all his matches at all times and never put himself at risk of getting caught, that is why he is so good.”

Parsons is the first state champion for OE since Tommy Zuniga won at 112lbs in 2004.

Talan getting hug from his father Jason Parsons after winning state title.

Cole Workman finished his sophomore season 34-7 record. He placed 3rd at Districts and 3rd at Regionals. Workman lost 5-6 to Dominic D’Ambrosio of Imlay City.

Workman lost 2-3 to Colton Kennedy of Hopkins.

“We gave up a couple points in each match that decided the outcome. At this level we can’t give up the easy points and it cost Workman both matches. Both matches were decided in the last 5-10 seconds of the match. It was that close.”

Girls Wrestling is now a separate division in wrestling for the first time. We have had girls state placers in the past but this is the first time we have a girl placing in the new girls division.

There were 100 more girls wrestling this year compared to last season. It is the fastest growing sport for girls in the united states.

Sharla Juhas 105lbs placed 8th in the Girls division. She placed 4th at Regionals. She is 17-13 on the season.

Cole Workman, Talan Parsons, Sharla Juhas and Samantha Grubaugh ready for state final competition at Ford Field on March 4th. Photos by Marie Spiess

Juhas defeated Beyonkah Rincones of Grandville 16-5
Quarterfinals Juhas lost to Sky Langewicz Algonac by pin in 5:50, who was the eventual state champion.
Juhas defeated Julia Snyder Chippewa Valley Decision 8-3.
Juhas then lost to Lynsey Light Grand Haven 12-4.
Juhas was pinned by Beyonkah Rincones of Grandville in 1:12 in the 7th/8th place match.

Juhas placed 8th and is our first Girls division State placer at Ovid Elsie/Ashley. Juhas attends Ashley High school. Ovid Elsie and Ashley have a co-op for wrestling since Ashley does not offer it. So Sharla is the first ever state placer in wrestling for Ashley high school.

Sam Grubugh125lbs went 1-2 at the state meet. She placed 6th at girls regionals to qualify for the state meet. Girls division does not have districts as there are not as many girls in wrestling as boys, yet. So the top 8 from girls regionals qualify.

Grubaugh won by pin over Abby Thommen of Montague 1:57.

Quarterfinals Grubaugh lost to Casey Boni of Chippewa Hills by pin in 3:36 to send her to the consolation bracket.

Blood round Grubaugh lost a close 0-6 match to Alexandria Sparks of Utica.

“This put Sam one win short of placing. She peaked at the right time and wrestled the best she ever has at regionals and the state meet.”

It was a long weekend of wrestling at Ford Field but it is an awesome experience for the kids!

Congratulations on a great season.