High school wrestling: Louden Gordon resigns as Wadsworth coach

The most decorated wrestling program in Medina County will be under new leadership next season. Louden Gordon submitted his letter of resignation as Wadsworth's coach on Friday, citing a desire to spend more time with family, ending his two-year tenure at the helm of the Grizzlies. "Being a wrestling coach is a full-time job, as it requires many hours of dedication," Gordon said in a press release. "Recently, my wife gave birth to our first child during the wrestling season and we could not have been more excited. At this time in our life, I would like to spend more time making memories and building my family. I have thoughtfully considered this decision." The coach that replaces Gordon will be Wadsworth's fourth in five seasons. Gordon followed Mike Wenger, who served one season as head coach after his son Clay Wenger accepted the job as the head women's wrestling coach at Mount Union. Gordon mentored seven state placers and 10 state qualifiers in his two seasons, including seeing Jacob Earnest finish runner-up at 285 pounds to Medina's Cliff Nicholson in March. The Grizzlies were 11th at this past season's Division I state tournament and 15th in 2025. Wadsworth also finished second in the Suburban League National Conference to Brecksville both years. Earnest, Kyle Jardine (4th, 157), Kolten Mellon (5th, 144) and Blake Frantz (7th, 132) represented the Grizzlies on the podium at the state tournament this season and all graduated this past spring. Stepping away from the wrestlers that he has worked with the past two seasons is the most difficult part for Gordon. "My decision did not come easy, as this is one of the most difficult choices I have had to make," Gordon said. "My goal is and always will be to mentor students and turn them into not only better athletes, but also into exceptional students, reliable friends and model citizens." As a wrestler, Gordon helped Wadsworth win the D-I state championship in 2010, when he won the 135-pound title. He defeated St. Edward's Mark Martin with a pin at 5:59 to help the Grizzlies edge the Eagles 172-167.5. The year prior Gordon was seventh at the same weight. "Having the opportunity to give back to the community through coaching is my passion and having been able to do this at my alma mater is something that I will always look back and remember." Contact John Urchek at jurchek@medina-gazette.com.