This summer, Mount Vernon High School senior Alex Taylor had an experience most student-athletes can only dream of—wrestling on the world stage in two different countries. After 11 years of dedication to the sport, Alex earned the incredible opportunity to compete internationally in both the Pan American Games in Brazil and the U17 World Championships in Greece.
To qualify for Greece, Alex had to come out on top as the best of three finalists in the U17 division. In preparation for the world-class competition, he spent six intense weeks training at the Colorado Wrestling Spring Training Center. It was all part of a bigger goal Alex had been working toward for years.
“It was my goal to wrestle in Greece,” Alex said.
Before heading to Greece, Alex made a stop in Brazil to compete in the Pan American Games, a tournament that brought together athletes from across the continent. Out of all the wrestlers in the country, Alex was one of only two who qualified to represent Team USA in both Brazil and Greece.
His performance didn’t disappoint. In Greece, Alex took home gold in Freestyle and silver in Greco-Roman, proving once again that hard work pays off. Back in Mount Vernon, the entire community was cheering him on.
The trip wasn’t without highlights from visiting the country—he enjoyed visiting a nearby island filled with friendly cats and discovering that in Greece, shoppers can negotiate prices at stores, something very different from here in Ohio.
Joining Alex in Greece was his coach, Mr. Firebaugh, though he arrived a few days after Alex. “I was amazed when I found out Alex made the team,” Firebaugh said. His own journey to Greece included multiple flights and took about nine hours. While Alex had to compete in some matches before his coach arrived, the support finally came just in time.
. For Mr. Firebaugh, getting to see one of his athletes compete at the highest level made the long flights and surprises worth it.
Alex’s journey isn’t ending anytime soon. After graduating, he plans to continue his wrestling career at Arizona State University, one of the top wrestling programs in the country.
His story is sure to inspire younger wrestlers at Mount Vernon High School. If there’s one lesson to take from Alex’s experience, it’s this: with years of hard work, dedication, and the right mindset, dreams like wrestling overseas can come true.
