The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Lake’s Freeman to wrestle for Buckeyes
Kevon Freeman is a Buckeye.
The only three-time state champion in Lake Catholic wrestling history announced on April 16 that he has committed to Ohio State to further his athletic and academic career.
Freeman made his decision known on his Twitter account, @KFreeman68. He wrote, “I am proud to announce that I am verbally committing to The Ohio State University to further my Academic and Wrestling career! #GoBucks”
“I’m excited about it,” said Lake Catholic coach Eric Lakia. “From what I know about (Coach) Tom Ryan, Ohio State and Kevon, this is the best fit for him.”
Freeman capped a decorated career at Lake Catholic in March with a 4-3 decision over top-ranked Ryan Thomas of St. Paris Graham for the 160-pound state championship in the Division II state tournament.
With the win, which also netted him Most Valuable Wrestler of the Division II state tournament, Freeman finished his senior season with a 48-5 record.
“This is something I’m going to tell my kids and my grandkids (about),” Freeman said after his final victory in a Lake Catholic singlet. “It’s a great accomplishment that I could put a good word out for my school, so hopefully kids can see if they go to Lake Catholic, they can do the same thing as me — if not better.”
Freeman won three straight state titles to go with the sixth-place finish he earned as a freshman.
Freeman ended his career at Lake Catholic with a program record 170 wins.
He is the only threetime News-Herald all-star wrestler of the year.
In the season-ending Intermatwrestle.com rankings, Freeman was ranked 15th nationally at 160 pounds.
All year long, Freeman said he wanted to leave a legacy at Lake Catholic.
“I guess the word ‘legacy’ is different in my world,” said Freeman, still catching his breath from his thrilling victory in the state final. “Preferably, 20 years down the road when kids walk through the hallway at state and see the wall of four-time and three-time champions, they’ll see ‘Lake Catholic’ and they’ll know they can do this also.”
Now he’s going to be part of Ryan’s Buckeye squad, which finished as national runner-up this year to Penn State.
Freeman joins a starstudded Ohio State recruiting class that features eight of the top 100 wrestlers in the nation, according to Intermat wrestling guru Josh Lowe.
Others in OSU’s recruiting class include Rocky Jordan and Jaden Mattox from Ohio, Sammy Sasso and Gavin Hoffman from Pennsylvania, Quinn Kinner from New Jersey, Alex Felix from California and Malik Heinselman from Colorado.
“I think Kevon will do great,” Lakia said. “Whether he redshirts or not, he’s going to grow into a phenomenal college wrestler. As good as he in as a top wrestler, considering the importance of riding time on the college level, and his speed and athleticism on his feet, he has all the tools.
“Kevon has all the tools to be a high-placing AllAmerican with the potential for a national championship. I know his goals are high, and I’m proud of him.”