New Braunfels’ Marsh seeks 2nd title
Harnessing strength and technique, New Braunfels’ Landon Marsh has developed into one of the state’s top wrestlers.
That combination has served Marsh well in the heavier weight classes, where strength often trumps technique, and as he aims for a second UIL state championship.
“He’s a freak athlete compared to most guys who are that big,” New Braunfels coach Adam Sandoval said. “He’s been wrestling his whole life. He’s always took pride in doing moves nobody else knew when he was a kid. He’s still doing that.”
Marsh enters the state meet, scheduled to begin Friday in Cypress, as the Region IV-6A champion at 190 pounds. Marsh won last year’s Class 6A state championship at 182 pounds. This year, the UIL changed weight divisions and eliminated the 182-pound class. That left Marsh a choice of going down to 175 or up to 190.
“The weight change worked in my favor,” Marsh said.
Sandoval said Marsh would have likely wrestled at 195, one of the former weight divisions, had they not changed.
“It was pretty natural to be honest,” Sandoval said of the switch to 190. “We are always trying to get bigger and stronger in the offseason, and he did get a little bit bigger. He doesn’t worry about cutting any weight. He could fill out and didn’t have to worry about that.”
Marsh is the second wrestler from New Braunfels to win a state title. His older brother George won the 285-pound 6A championship two years ago as a senior.
“He got our family into wrestling,” Marsh said. “Seeing him win the first state title for our school really made it seem possible someone could do it again.”
Marsh has wrestled for 11 years. When he was younger, he had to cut weight to qualify for matches. When he got to high school, Marsh didn’t have to do that as much. That allowed him to wrestle without sacrificing strength.
Marsh is a four-time Region IV-6A champion. He was the region’s 170-pound champion as a freshman. He captured back-toback 182-pound regional titles as a sophomore and junior.
“To win as a freshman at the upper weights is pretty tough because you get older, mature guys,” Sandoval said. “That showed his competitive nature, and it continued to show throughout his four years.”
Marsh hasn’t noticed any differences in his competition at 190.
“If they are a good competitor, they’re built almost similar to me,” Marsh said. “It’s like looking in a mirror. It’s just good, physical competition.”
Marsh has also displayed his athleticism on the football field. Marsh earned a spot on the Allstate team after catching 53 passes for 785 yards and nine touchdowns. Although he’s listed at tight end, Marsh also played in the slot and at wide out and fullback.
Sandoval said Marsh’s combination of strength and technique showed on the football field, too.
“At the upper weights, you have to have a level of strength for your moves to work,” Sandoval said. “He does what the situation calls for, and that’s what makes him special.”
Marsh signed a preferred walk-on offer to play football at Texas State. He said Saturday is his final wrestling meet.
“It’s been a big part of my life, but everything comes to an end,” Marsh said. “I’m going to play football in college and probably pick up jiu-jitsu. Wrestling has built a good foundation for that.”