T-L Photo/KIM NORTH THE WRESTLING Mill will soon be opening its doors. Some of the individuals who made it possible and their sons are pictured above. Front row, from left are youth wrestlers Walker Reitter, Gamble Gossett, Jameson Lewis, Jaxson Lewis and Gunnar Gossett. Back row, from left, are Nate Gossett, Jayson Stephen, Kurt Bullock, Josh Reitter, Jason Jones, T.J. King, James Lewis, Zac Powell and Rick Milhoan.

BELMONT – Eastern Ohio has had a pair of Ohio High State Athletic Association state championship wrestlers over the past two seasons, but places for grapplers to train are few and far between.

Former Union Local state champion James Lewis and former OVAC titlist T.J. King know this all too well. They’ve seen how kids train in other parts of the state, and nation for that fact, to be successful.

So, the duo, along with a group of individuals who are dedicated to the sport, have remodeled and updated the Wrestling Mill in Belmont.

“The Wrestling Mill is a club that myself and T.J. King have kind of put together to get our boys tuned up to compete with everybody they wrestle. We’re just here to better the wrestlers in our area,” Lewis, a former UL head coach, said.

“We feel that there just isn’t a whole lot of opportunities right here where we are at and we’ve got a lot of quality kids that need a little extra help here and there.”

The doors will open on Tuesday, May 3. The Wrestling Mill is located on Bina Road on the eastern edge of the village.

“We have already booked and are talking with several top-notch clinicians/technicians. We hope to have multiple options available every month,” Lewis said. “There will be fees and/or membership opportunities associated with the upcoming events. We hope to offer the best wrestling experience that your wrestler is willing to take on. We will list more details later once we complete our membership structure. Looking forward to what’s to come.”

According to Lewis, interest has been amazing.

“We’ve had anywhere from 60-85 wrestlers on a regular basis since the season ended,” he said. “Our cut-off point will be 72.

“We anticipate a large group and the mat space just wasn’t enough, so we’ve expanded quite a bit.

“We started out with a 50×50 mat with a little section on the side of it. Now we have three full mats and a couple of extra sections. We have quite a bit of space now.”

“There are six clinicians/technicians coming in over the summer,” he added. “The first one is former Ohio State standout Johnni DiJulius on May 15. Competing at 133 pounds, DiJulius claimed over 100 career victories with Ohio State and won a tournament title at the prestigious Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational. In high school, he won three OHSAA state titles at Walsh Jesuit.

Glenville State head coach Dylan Cottrell will appear on June 12.

Former Ohio State four-time Big 10 and NCAA champion Logan Stieber will be coming in conjunction with the Union Local wrestling program on July 17.

Also in July, Purler Wrestling, Inc., a family-owned and operated wrestling company established in 1999 will conduct a three-day (29-31) camp.

Not only is Purler Wrestling Academy the nation’s largest wrestling school, but also one of the most successful. Its students have won many team national titles and countless state and national medals and awards. Its students have also earned more than $3.5 million in college wrestling scholarships.

Lewis said that Adam Kobalo will be in and out of the Wrestling Mill on a regular basis. He’s based out of the Cleveland area and was an NCAA Division II national champion at Notre Dame College in 2009.

“We are a chartered USA Wrestling Club. That provides liability insurance for the club and the wrestlers in the club. It provides a lot of knowledge and a lot of information. It’s been a great group to work with.”

According to Lewis, all Wrestling Mill members must have the $15 USA wrestling card for coverage to practice.

Many of the events and camps that the club will be going to and hosting will require USAW Card number. The Wrestling Mill will be a Chartered Club. This will help secure and insure your child’s safety and coverage.

Sunday’s practice sessions will run from 3:30-5:30 p.m. during May, June and July with a few days off here and there due to holidays.

Tuesday practices are from 5:30-7:30 p.m. and are geared for the more advanced wrestlers.

Thursday is novice-only night for beginners, no matter what age group from 5:30-7 p.m.

“We really gear the second grade-and-under that are a little more advanced to stay down in the novice group.”

Helping to remodel the inside of the building were Nate Gossett, Jayson Stephen, Kurt Bullock, Josh Reitter, Jason Jones, T.J. King, James Lewis, Zac Powell, Nat Brown and Rick Milhoan.

Once the high school season starts back up again it will turn into a private club, Lewis noted.

For more information, contact the Wrestling Mill on Facebook.