Campbell’s wrestling legacy lives on

As of today, all but two of these records are still held by Jesse Campbell at Black River High School where his name still shines on many of the trophies proudly displayed there.

Jesse D. Campbell grew up outside the city of Oberlin on a small family farm with his parents Bruce and Denise Campbell and his two younger brothers Cory and Jacob.

It’s no surprise that Jesse loved the sport of wrestling. It began with his father, Bruce, who was an Ohio state champion, a coach, and an OHSAA official.

Campbell got an early start in the Firelands Biddy and Junior High sports program.

His love for the sport flourished in his freshman year when he won his wrestle-off against the team’s returning senior starter.

That same year he won the Lorain County Conference

Championship at heavyweight, going on to qualify, compete and finish 1-2 at the district tournament.

After the summer of his freshman year, his career blossomed under the tutelage and mentorship of head coach Corey Kline at Black River High School. He finished his 2004-2005 wrestling season as district runnerup and qualified for the OHSAA state tournament for the first time, finishing 1-2. In Campbell‘s junior year he locked up the championship of the PAC Conference, sectional championship, district championship, and was a runner up at the OHSAA state tournament.

Continuing his success into the off-season on Team Ohio, he earned gold medal All-American honors at tournaments in both

Tennessee and Florida.

Campbell finished his senior year at BRHS at the top of many podiums with stats including:

• a 45-2 record

• a PAC Conference Championship

• a Sectional Championship

• a third place at the District Tournament

• the OHSAA Heavyweight State Championship (by defeating the two-time returning champion)

Campbell ‘s high school career record was 141-28. He broke BRHS records for:

• Most Career Wins: 141

• Most Season Wins: 45

• Most Season Pins: 31

• Most Career Pins: 65

• Most Tournament Points in a Season: 241

• Most Points Season: 291

As of today, all but two of these records are still held by Campbell at Black River High School where his name still shines on many of the trophies proudly displayed there.

His youngest brother, Jacob, broke his Most Career Wins with 152 and Most Season Wins with 50.

In the summer of his senior year, Campbell returned to Florida to repeat gold honors as an All-American.

He then went on to sign and wrestle for The Ohio State University, transferring a year later to Ashland University.

Injuries and health complications ended Campbell’s competitive career early and led him to his true passion: Coaching.