'We don't run from competition': Harrison wrestling sharpens iron heading into postseason

The Harrison High School wrestling room produced a banner year last season that has continued into 2024.

The Harrison girls won the inaugural Ohio High School Athletic Association girls wrestling tournament last year and so far this season have won events such as Walsh's Women of Ironman tournament and the Olentangy Orange Citrus Duals. In between those victories, Harrison was ranked as the No. 2 team in the country in the early season rankings from USA Wrestling, FloWrestling and the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum.

Not to be outdone, the Harrison boys returned some big performers and welcomed newcomers to one of Cincinnati's top teams, which so far features an undefeated dual record and top finishes in prestigious tournaments.

State placers, freshmen and transfers coming together

Harrison had three state qualifiers last season in Brody Palm, Wyatt Brock and Cohl Wandsnider. All three returned for this season, including Brock who placed seventh at 138 pounds.

That trio was then joined by Gavin Boner, a district qualifier last season for Talawanda, and Dickie Engel, a two-time state placer for Reading who was Harrison's quarterback in the fall.

The varsity roster also includes freshmen Connor Niehaus and Owen Dennis. Dennis, the son of head coach Chad Dennis, placed seventh at the Brian Keck Memorial Preseason Nationals in October.

An undefeated start to the campaign

With an influx of newcomers, the Wildcats quickly found a groove and an 11-0 start to the season in dual matches.

"I think what happens is kids know that the people around them are good and they rise to rest of the people that are around them," coach Dennis said. "The kids are wrestling really well."

Harrison's season opened at the Findlay Duals. Harrison defeated Olmstead Falls, Findlay, Wauseon, Napoleon and Aurora. The Wildcats followed by knocking off Moeller Dec. 15 before going 5-0 again the next day in their Harrison Duals, which included a win over Anderson for coach Dennis's 350th dual victory.

"(Moeller) was an early season dual that was great for Cincinnati wrestling," Dennis said. "It came down to the last match and we were able to prevail in that match. Our guys enjoyed that match for sure. Being in their gym and being able to come away with a win."

Added Brock: "We went into Moeller with a little chip on our shoulder. I think Moeller set the tone of how good we can be."

Since that tone has been set, Harrison followed up its duals with a second-place finish behind La Salle at the Southwest Ohio Wrestling Coaches Association Coaches Classic and a first-place finish at the Ron Masanek Fairfield Invitational.

"I had pretty high expectations for our team," freshman Owen Dennis said. "I knew we were going to be good. I don't think other people were thinking we were going to be this good. Then we beat Moeller, got second at Coaches. I'd say we've exceeded our expectations from other people."

Embracing challenges the rest of the way

Harrison's schedule features more challenges heading into the postseason, which includes going to the Top Gun at Alliance on Jan. 12 and Jan. 13, wrestling a dual against Elder on Jan. 18 and participating in the Loveland Invitational. The competition is more than welcome.

"We're not running from competition," coach Dennis said. "We try to wrestle all the best teams in Cincinnati. We don't run from competition and we're not afraid to have losses going into the end of the year. If you don't have some losses then you probably haven't been challenged.

"Our guys put in a lot of time and a lot of effort and they want to be good."

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Ohio high school wrestling: Harrison boys rack up victories in 2024