Ocean Lakes hosted its second wrestling tournament of the season. With a final score of 109, the team placed 10th on Jan. 27 – Jan. 28, 2023.

“We’ve been doing bottom work; practice has been pretty rough and intense the past week in preparation for the invitational,” said senior Tyler Davison. 

Four players from Ocean Lakes placed in the top eight: Christian Ballon placed second for 113; Bryan Turnage placed sixth for 138; Jaden Campos placed third for 157; Logan Chambers for third for 165; Nate Bushey for third for 175. 

“Winning third place felt exhilarating. Knowing that I brought my team closer to a win helped me feel accomplished,” said Nate.

The John Kelly Invitational was also Ocean Lakes’ wrestling senior night.

In weight class order, seniors Tyler Davison, Christian Ballon, John McLaughlin, Ayden Howard, Blake Curtin, Nate Bushey and Sean Peucker all walked the mat to coach Barnhart. 

With a total of 24 teams at the tournament, as far as a school from West Virginia, Washington High School, Ocean Lakes managed to achieve 10th overall. 

The John Kelly invitational was named after John Kelly, a former English teacher and coach who taught at Ocean Lakes who unfortunately passed away in late August of 2021.

“John was extremely supportive of all the teams at Ocean Lakes…, John was the first friend I made athletically when I started teaching here, he was always at the wrestling events and he was always close with the wrestlers,” said head wrestling coach, and friend Christopher Barnhart.