Wadsworth wrestler Aaron Ries commits to Campbell

Wadsworth state finalist Aaron Ries will not have to worry about figuring out where he is going to wrestle in college when his senior year begins in August. Ries, who announced his decision in a tweet on Sunday, committed over the weekend to continue his athletic and academic careers at Campbell University. The 285-pound state runner-up will join former Grizzlies teammate and 2022 state champion Chris Earnest in competing for the Camels. Earnest begins his freshman year at Campbell this fall. Adding to the Medina County connections at the Division I school in Buies Creek, N.C., former Brunswick four-time state placer Josh Heil is the recruiting coordinator and an assistant coach for Campbell. Heil, who twice placed third at the state tournament for the Blue Devils, was the first four-time national qualifier for the Camels during his collegiate career. Ries plowed through the field at the state tournament last March before losing to Central Michigan commit Aidan Fockler, of Massillon Perry, by ultimate tiebreaker in the 285-pound state final. Ries is coming off a junior season in which he went 44-7, while winning tournament championships at the Hoover Holiday, Maumee Bay Classic, Grizzly Invitational, Suburban League and Wadsworth D-I Sectional tournaments. He also earned 23 pins, all while competing with a torn anterior cruciate ligament. A two-time state placer and All-Gazette selection in wrestling, Ries also won a 16U national championship at the United States Marine Corps National Championships in Fargo, N.D. and clinched a national duals championship for Team Ohio last summer. Ries was also an All-Gazette right tackle for the Wadsworth (7-5) football team that made the D-I regional quarterfinals. He also compiled 10 tackles while playing nose tackle for the Grizzlies. After having surgery to repair his torn ACL earlier this summer, Ries is not expected to play for the football team. He is hoping to return during the wrestling season, where he will likely be one of the top contenders to win a state championship. Contact John Urchek at jurchek@medina-gazette.com.