The 2025 Ohio HS Wrestling Rankings Shockwave: 7 Must-Watch Contenders And Teams

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The Ohio high school wrestling landscape is already heating up for the 2024-2025 season, with new rankings dropping in late December 2025, setting the stage for what promises to be an electrifying run to the State Tournament in March. The Buckeye State is a perennial powerhouse in prep wrestling, and the current rankings reflect a mix of established champions and rising stars ready to make their mark across all three boys' divisions (D1, D2, D3) and the rapidly growing Girls' division.

The early season rankings, often compiled by authoritative sources like DubStat and major sports publications, are crucial indicators of who has the momentum, the toughest schedule (Strength of Schedule or SOS), and the raw talent to challenge for a coveted OHSAA State Championship. This year’s lists are dominated by familiar wrestling hotbeds, but also feature several surprises that will fuel intense rivalries throughout the winter season.

The Dominators: Top-Ranked Ohio High School Wrestlers for 2025

The individual rankings are the lifeblood of Ohio wrestling, highlighting the elite athletes who are currently setting the pace in their respective weight classes. The 2024-2025 season has already seen some incredible performances, with several wrestlers establishing themselves as the clear frontrunners for a state title. These athletes represent the pinnacle of high school wrestling talent in the state.

Division I: The Powerhouses and Top Contenders

Division I is traditionally the most competitive, featuring the state’s largest schools and deepest talent pools. The 2025 rankings feature several nationally-recognized names:

  • Marcus Blaze (Perrysburg): The senior standout is a clear favorite, ranked highly in his weight class (around 138 lbs). Blaze's impressive career record (29-0 for the season and 186-2 overall) solidifies his position as one of the top wrestlers in the entire country. His journey to another state title will be closely watched.
  • Loc Webber (Dublin Coffman): Ranked highly at 106 lbs, Webber is a key figure for the Dublin Coffman program. His early-season Elo rating and Strength of Schedule (SOS) place him firmly at the top of the D1 106-pound class, indicating a tough road ahead but a strong start.
  • Samuel Adams (Massillon Perry): A strong contender in the middle weights, Adams represents a powerhouse program and is consistently ranked among the top four in his weight class.
  • Mason Rohr (Massillon Perry): Ranked D1 #1 at 144 lbs, Rohr is another crucial wrestler for Massillon Perry, demonstrating the depth of that program.

Division II and III: Emerging Stars and Small-School Grit

Divisions II and III showcase incredible talent, often with tighter competition and a focus on small-school pride. These divisions are known for producing scrappy, highly-technical wrestlers:

  • DJ Otero (Lutheran West): Otero is a top-ranked wrestler in Division II, leading the charge for Lutheran West, a school consistently producing high-level talent.
  • Justuce Fisher (Beaver Local): Ranked highly in D2, Fisher is another name to watch as the season progresses toward the district and state tournaments.
  • Timothy Mazur (Lake Catholic): Mazur is a dominant force in Division III, ranked D3 #1 at 132 lbs. His performance is a key indicator of Lake Catholic's team strength.

The Rise of Girls' High School Wrestling in Ohio

The Girls' Division continues its rapid expansion and growing competitive nature, culminating in its own OHSAA State Tournament. The 2024-2025 rankings highlight several elite female wrestlers:

  • Camryn Gresham (Lakota East): A highly-ranked sophomore, Gresham is a frontrunner in the lower weight classes, representing the competitive Cincinnati area.
  • Cami Leng (Marysville): Another top-ranked sophomore, Leng is a major threat and helps solidify Marysville as a strong girls' wrestling program.
  • Deionna Borders (Berea Midpark): A formidable junior, Borders is a top contender in the heavier weight classes (around 235 lbs), boasting an impressive 24-0 season record and a 94-2 career record.

The Team Race: Who Will Lift the OHSAA State Championship Trophy?

While individual titles garner much of the spotlight, the team championship is the ultimate prize, requiring depth, consistent performance across all weight classes, and strategic coaching. The team rankings for the 2024-2025 season are fluid, with several perennial powerhouses battling for the top spot in each division.

The state's most authoritative rankings, often based on a custom Elo rating system that factors in head-to-head performance and Strength of Schedule (SOS), show a tight race. Here are the top contenders to watch:

  • Division I Contenders: Schools like Perrysburg (led by Marcus Blaze) and Dublin Coffman (featuring Loc Webber) are expected to be at the top of the Dual Meet Rankings. However, programs like Massillon Perry and traditional powerhouse St. Edward are always in the mix and will be major threats at the State Tournament. The battle for D1 supremacy is consistently the most intense.
  • Division II Contenders: With strong individuals like DJ Otero, schools like Lutheran West are making a strong case for a top team finish. The D2 field is often highly unpredictable, making for some of the most exciting sectional and district tournaments.
  • Division III Contenders: The smaller schools of D3 rely heavily on star power and team balance. Lake Catholic, with a top-ranked wrestler like Timothy Mazur, is a program to keep an eye on as they push for a state title.

The Road to Columbus: Key Tournaments Defining the 2025 Season

The rankings are constantly being reshaped by performance in major tournaments throughout the season. Wrestlers and teams use these high-stakes events to test their mettle against the best competition, often including teams from outside of Ohio. Success in these tournaments is a huge factor in improving a team's ranking and building momentum for the postseason.

Two tournaments stand out as defining moments on the 2024-2025 Ohio wrestling calendar:

The Walsh Jesuit IRONMAN Tournament

Held annually in December at Walsh Jesuit High School in Cuyahoga Falls, the IRONMAN is arguably one of the most prestigious high school wrestling tournaments in the entire country. It draws top teams and individual talent from across the nation, making it a true proving ground for Ohio's best. A strong showing here is a massive boost to a wrestler's national and state ranking, and it's heavily scouted by college coaches.

The OHSAA State Tournament

The ultimate goal for every Ohio high school wrestler, the 2025 OHSAA State Tournament is scheduled to begin on March 7th in Columbus, Ohio. This event brings together the top qualifiers from all sectional and district tournaments across the three boys' divisions and the single Girls' division. Winning a match at the Schottenstein Center is an achievement; winning a state title is a legacy. The final rankings are decided on the mat here.

Understanding the Metrics: Elo Ratings and Strength of Schedule (SOS)

Modern Ohio wrestling rankings are increasingly sophisticated, moving beyond simple poll votes. Many of the most respected rankings now utilize data-driven metrics like the Elo rating system. This system, also used in chess and other competitive sports, measures the relative skill level of players (or wrestlers/teams) and is constantly updated after every match. A high Elo rating indicates consistent performance against strong competition.

Another critical factor is the Strength of Schedule (SOS). A wrestler with a lower win-loss record but a high SOS—meaning they wrestled a schedule full of highly-ranked opponents—will often be ranked higher than an undefeated wrestler who has faced weaker competition. This ensures that the rankings truly reflect the quality of the competition faced by Ohio's elite wrestlers as they navigate their 2024-2025 seasons. The combination of these metrics provides the most objective and fresh look at the state's wrestling hierarchy.

The 2025 Ohio HS Wrestling Rankings Shockwave: 7 Must-Watch Contenders and Teams
ohio hs wrestling rankings
ohio hs wrestling rankings

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