DRESDEN — For Tri-Valley High School’s standout senior wrestlers, Logan McClellan and Kandice Spry, the path to the postseason was paved with strategic decisions. Both athletes, enjoying dominant seasons, faced the challenge of selecting the most advantageous weight classes for the state tournament.
Kandice Spry, currently ranked second in the state at 115 pounds and a returning state runner-up in Division I, possessed the remarkable ability to contend for a state title in multiple weight classes. According to girls’ coach Skye Wisecarver, Spry’s talent was so profound that she could have potentially triumphed in three different divisions. Before a narrow defeat in the finals at the Division I district tournament last Sunday, Spry had been undefeated in postseason competition.
Logan McClellan’s decision-making process presented a different set of complexities. Undefeated and largely unchallenged throughout the season, McClellan found himself navigating between the 215 and 285-pound weight classes. Ranked second by Borofan at heavyweight (285 pounds) and fourth at 215 pounds, he opted for the less crowded heavyweight division, despite being at a size disadvantage. His crucial 1-0 victory over Beau Hudson of Steubenville, a wrestler ranked in the top 10 nationally, ultimately secured his berth in the Division II state tournament.
Both Spry and McClellan are now set to return to Columbus, with their sights firmly set on capturing championship titles at the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) state tournament, scheduled to take place from March 13-15 at Ohio State University’s Value City Arena.
This year, they will be joined by their classmate, Aedin Seward. Seward’s inspiring comeback story, culminating in a third-place finish through the grueling “blood rounds” after an initial first-round loss at 190 pounds, earned him his first trip to the state tournament.
A Legacy of Excellence
The wrestling journeys of Spry and McClellan, at least at the high school level, are reaching their crescendo. Both athletes have already secured scholarships to continue their wrestling careers at the collegiate level, with Spry committed to Northern Michigan University and McClellan to Edinboro University in Pennsylvania.
Tri-Valley head coach Matt Fellows expressed his gratitude for having such exceptional talent in his program. “It has been a privilege to have a couple of kids like that in the room,” Fellows stated. “I’ve had them all three years that I have coached here, but seeing it all come together their senior year, I just feel really lucky.”
The parallels between Spry and McClellan are striking, and both are poised to etch their names in the annals of the Muskingum Valley League (MVL) as among its greatest wrestlers. Spry already holds the distinction of achieving the highest state finish for any female wrestler in MVL history and is striving to become the league’s first female state champion. McClellan, meanwhile, is aiming to secure only the second state title for a wrestler from Tri-Valley.
Their shared drive for victory is undeniable.
“They wrestled like 80 to 100 matches this offseason,” Fellows remarked, highlighting their dedication. “They’ve both really put in the time and go into extra practices afterwards. It’s just their entire lives, and a lot of kids make it their entire lives and still aren’t that successful. They’re doing good all around. They’re getting good grades and treating people right. They’re a cut above.”
McClellan’s commitment to his sport is evident in his participation in offseason tournaments across various states, including Virginia Beach, North Dakota, Indiana, West Virginia, and the U.S. Open in Las Vegas. Coach Wisecarver also accompanied him on some of these trips.
“It’s a blast,” McClellan shared, reflecting on his experiences. “Going into Vegas and my parents flying out with us, just watching them have fun and being able to be involved with that, and go and see all these things are the best part, to be honest.”
Spry, whose parents also frequently traveled with her, echoed his sentiments. “My parents are the reason why I am as good as I can be,” Spry said. “(Skye), he travels with us everywhere we go, but my parents have done an incredible amount of traveling, amount of work.”
She further elaborated on their invaluable support: “Even with colleges, my mom has helped me figure out where I wanted to go. She has helped me with everything. I don’t think I would be who I am today without them here.”
McClellan: Ready for Any Challenge
McClellan hones his skills at Colin Palmer’s club in Columbus, where he trains alongside Maddox Laymon, a state champion from Sheridan High School. He also wrestles for the Rough House Wrestling Club, led by Maysville coach Ben Sandoval. Spry also utilizes the training facilities at both clubs.
“I’m all about going anywhere I can to get in the room,” McClellan stated, emphasizing his relentless pursuit of improvement. “Just work my butt off with my teammates and try to get as much competition as I can.”
Prior to the start of the postseason tournament and his decision on a weight class, McClellan admitted he didn’t anticipate being undefeated, given the high caliber of competition he encountered at tournaments like Austintown Fitch and Canal Winchester.
It was at Canal Winchester that he showcased his dominance at 285 pounds, securing a 10-0 major decision against DeAngelo Spear of Canton South. Spear, ranked in the top five by numerous wrestling publications, had his district run end against the top-ranked Brydon Feister of Akron Hoban, who has a remarkable 19-1 record since returning from injury and is a highly sought-after linebacker recruit by Division I football programs, including Ohio State and Penn State.
McClellan’s decisive victory at the district tournament against Hudson, ranked in the top eight, and Luke McMillion of Wintersville Indian Creek, another top-10 competitor, further solidified his confidence in his ability to outlast larger heavyweight opponents.
His alternative path at 215 pounds would have likely presented a formidable challenge, potentially including matchups against Watterson’s top-ranked and defending state champion Michael Boyle, Napoleon’s George Eggers (who defeated McClellan at last year’s state tournament), and Akron Hoban’s Brayton Feister, the defending state runner-up.
Currently, McClellan is ranked second behind Feister, who resides in his half of the state tournament bracket. The top half of the bracket features the undefeated Cash Patrick of Celina and Watterson’s A.J. DeMassimo. Hudson, Spear, and Perry’s Trent Taylor, who lost to Feister in the district finals, are also contenders in the top half.
“Logan moving up to heavyweight has been fun to watch,” Fellows commented. “What he lacks in size he makes up for in speed, technique and experience. We knew we would see Feister at some point this postseason, and we’re excited to hopefully get that opportunity in the semifinals now.”
McClellan’s confidence entering the wrestling season was further bolstered by an All-Ohio performance as a two-way lineman in football. He proved to be a dominant force on the offensive line, despite consistently drawing the attention of opposing defenses.
The synergy between his football and wrestling seasons has been significant. “It just kind of kept me on my high,” McClellan explained. “It kept my head up a little bit more, especially with the other side of the line coming in with me (in Seward). He and I always go at it, just butting heads and working hard with each other.”
McClellan’s foresight regarding Seward proved accurate. He has been a friend since elementary school. “I can see him making the state this year,” McClellan predicted in February. “He’s got to lock in and get out of his head sometimes. But other than that, I believe in him. I think he’s got it.”
Fellows shared his optimism. “After dropping his first match (at district), 2-1, he seemed crushed, but he was able to pull off a win in his next two matches,” Fellows recounted. “The second day, we watched as his confidence grew exponentially. Seeing him crawl back and beating (Philo’s Gibson) Swartz (who beat him twice previously) was one of the greatest moments I have ever had as a coach.”
Spry: Aiming for the Top Spot
McClellan vividly recalls the moment he realized Spry was an exceptional wrestler. “Eighth grade year,” McClellan stated. “It was like, ‘alright, she’s going to be good.’ And then when freshman year hit, I just knew, you know? She’s took quick. I’ve been watching her matches since fifth-grade year.”
Two years later, Spry found herself competing in the finals on the grandest stage in Ohio. Now, she has a strong opportunity to return and claim the championship title, positioning herself as a top contender alongside Camryn Gresham of Liberty Township Lakota East and Ladyn Hines of Barnesville, to whom she lost a close 4-3 match in the district finals at Mentor.
Spry credits her runner-up finish at the Walsh Iron Man tournament, widely regarded as one of the premier high school wrestling events in the Midwest, with significantly boosting her confidence.
“Obviously, it was a little disappointing losing that match (in the finals), but I always expected that to be a big match,” Spry said. “It was an unbelievable experience.”
Her experience as a spectator at the Iron Man tournament as a freshman had ignited her aspirations. “I looked up to those kids that were in the finals,” Spry recalled. “It was like, ‘dude, these are hammers. That is where I want to be.’ And then making it there, it just finally felt like I achieved something. It made me so proud of myself.”
The matter of unfinished business weighs heavily on Spry as she heads into the state tournament. She hopes her previous state tournament experience will translate into a long-awaited championship. She also reflected on having to adjust her initial expectations of becoming a four-time state champion as a freshman.
The loss to Geckler, she explained, provided valuable self-insight. “It might not look like it, but I had to work on myself a lot mentally and get my mind right,” Spry shared. “I know how to do the working part. I know how to do most of the wrestling part. I know how to grind it out. I know how to do all of that stuff. But I had to get myself prepared, make sure my confidence is where it needs to be. It’s something that I have to literally remind myself of. … This is your chance to do it.”
Coach Wisecarver emphasized the significance of producing another state champion for the school. The last, and only, state champion was Kade Kowalski. “On either side,” Wisecarver commented. “If it’s Logan that would be awesome, because right now everybody kind of looks at Kade as the unicorn, a one-of-a-kind. So if we can produce another one, that proves we are capable doing it.”
Wisecarver also highlighted Spry’s profound impact on the wrestling program as a whole, extending beyond her individual achievements. “We have nine girls wrestling right now,” Wisecarver stated. “I don’t think any of them would be here if it wasn’t for her wrestling.”
