The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Elyria standout commits to Kent State
Another Elyria wrestler has made plans for their collegiate wrestling career.
Sept. 4, Elyria’s Enrique Munguia committed to Kent State.
“I really like the wrestlers and coaches there,” Munguia said. “I also really like how it’s close to home. It just feels right. It feels like home.”
Munguia, a senior, finished last season 41-9 at 182 pounds and is currently tied for 26th all time in wins at Elyria. He qualified for the individual state tournament in March before the tournament was canceled due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Munguia’s initial plan was to wait until after the season to go on his college visits, but that plan was changed after the pandemic. Munguia has spent the past couple months going on virtual visits to colleges, with Kent State being one of those visits.
“I did a lot of stuff virtually,” Mungia said. “I’ve been on Kent State’s campus, but never in an official setting. I’m planning on going sometime soon just to see all the wrestlers and stuff. It was difficult, but I was still able to see a lot online of both just the campus and the majors they have available. I was able to see the facilities as well.”
Munguia becomes the third Pioneer wrestler to commit to college since the middle of August. Nate Burnett committed to Clarion on Aug. 20, and Peyton Fenton committed to Virginia on Aug. 22.
“I was excited to see them commit,” Munguia said.
“It made me want to commit even more.”
Munguia’s commitment comes at a time when the
entire high school wrestling landscape is upside down.
Sept. 3, the OHSAA announced in an administrator’s update it was suspending the OHSAA dual team wrestling tournament for the 2020-21 school year, with more changes to the
season likely on the way.
“I think we’re going to have a season,” Elyria coach Erik Burnett said when Nate Burnett committed. “We’re just training and trying to find places to go where we can wrestle. We’re just going to keep training like there’s
something to win, and if everything gets canceled, then we’re that much better for the future. We’re going to be the most prepared team out of everybody.”
Even with all the uncertainty, Munguia feels prepared for the season —
whatever it may look like.
“It’s like there’s a huge weight off my shoulders,” Munguia said. “Now I can just focus on getting good grades and wrestling well. I’m feeling confident. I’m just planning on having a lot of fun this year.”