Mount Vernon wrestler hits 100 wins

There are gym rats and then there are people like Luke Mullins.

Mullins has spent almost all of his life in the wrestling room at Mount Vernon, first attending and getting kicked out of Little Stingers’ practices, as a 4-year old who wanted to be out there with his brothers, Alex and Zach. The staff let him stay the next year and he hasn’t left.

All that time in the wrestling and weight rooms paid off for Mullins recently, as he achieved his 100th career high school victory on Jan. 16 at the Maumee Bay Classic.

“It was pretty crazy. I didn’t realize I was creeping up on 100 wins, but I’ve wrestled varsity for four years, so I kind of knew it was coming. It’s kind of weird, thinking I’ve won 100 matches throughout my entire high school career,” Mullins said.

Mullins picked up the career-defining victory in the first match of the tournament at Clay High School near Toledo. He was able to get several takedowns and cruised to a relatively easy win at the always tough invitational.

The senior has been the ultimate team player for the Yellow Jackets, wrestling well above his weight class for several years. That hasn’t kept him from succeeding, though, as he is a two-time state qualifier and won the district at his normal 190-pound class last year after wrestling at 215 most of the season. He spent his sophomore year wrestling heavyweight.

“Wrestling heavyweight and 215 the last two years have definitely made me appreciate wrestling 190. I’m able to pick people up and move around like I want to move,” Mullins said. “It was fun, making it to state at heavyweight was pretty cool. I like the pace at 190. It’s a lot faster than heavyweight. I’m able to work my moves a lot better than I’d be able to against somebody who’s 60 pounds heavier.”

Mullins has battled some injuries this season, but feels he is healthy and ready to go — just in time for the best part of the season — the conference and state tournaments. Mount Vernon will host the Licking County League Championships on Feb. 14 and then sectionals start Feb. 28.

“I’ve been battling a lot of injuries, so I’m looking to honing it in and get focused on post-season. Hopefully, win sectional and districts and go out there and take a shot at the state title. We’ll see what the future holds. That’s my goal,” he said. “I missed a couple of weeks with a football injury and then a couple with my knee. I’m finally back now. It’s helped me. I’ve been able to watch some collegiate wrestling and understand some stuff to do differently. I’ve learned a lot, even off the mat, watching some film.”

Once the season ends, Mullins will be looking for the next adventure. He’s looking at the possibility of attending and wrestling at Wheeling University next year, teaming up with former MV teammate Jake Taylor and current one, Mavrik Gregory. There, he plans to major in finance and hopefully, find his niche in that field. Mullins is currently enrolled in College U through COTC and will have his associate’s degree at the same time as his high school diploma.