The fourth annual James Horning Memorial wrestling tournament will be Saturday, Jan. 19 at Mason Middle School.

 

The tournament honors James Horning, a senior captain on the Mason wrestling team who died in an auto accident in October 2004.

 

There will be several quality teams at the event, including Lakota West, which is ranked in the top 10 in the Division I coaches’ state poll. The Firebirds are the three-time defending champions of the event.

 

Other schools include: Centerville, Dublin Coffman, Greenville, Grove City Central Crossing, Kettering Fairmont, Lewis Center Olentangy, Milford and Rochester (Mich.).

The tournament has had a strong field in the past including four Division I state champs, four state runners-up, 23 state placers and 71 state qualifiers.

 

"This year's competition is going to be brutal," Mason coach Craig Murnan said.  "It's a very balanced field, but Lakota West is always the team to beat and if they get their team healthy again this year they are going to be the team to beat again. Central Crossing is very strong this year too.  So, I can't count them out either."

 

The competition starts at 9:30 a.m. Saturday with the finals scheduled for 6 p.m. Admission for the all-day tournament is $6 per adult and $3 per student.