Seniors Ryan Harris and Sammy Gross each earned their second state titles at the state wrestling tournament in Columbus during the weekend of March 1.

Harris won the Division III 170 lb. state championship; Gross won at 132 lbs.

Both wrestlers plan to wrestle in college: Harris at Ohio State and Gross at Northwestern.

Harris has big goals as he hopes to become an NCAA champ.

According to Harris, wrestling skills transfer to his life off the mat, including mental toughness, courage and humility.

Harris named Asst. Coach Kevin Lipp as a role model. Lipp is a former Beachwood wrestler and state champion.

Harris had some advice for younger athletes: “Think positive and work hard even when it sucks; it will pay off…  and believe in yourself.”

Now that Ryan Harris is done with high school wrestling there are many different things he is feeling. When asked about how it feels to be finished with his high school wrestling career he said, “[It feels] Strange because I’m going to be a college athlete and I’ll miss high school wrestling.”

This was the last time Gross or Harris will have their hand raised in victory for a high school match.

“[It felt] amazing,” Harris said. “There is no better feeling than getting your hand raised in your last high school match.”