LEROY — Jericho Holmes concluded a stellar wrestling career at Pine River High School this winter and will take his talents to Lake Erie College.
Holmes recently signed his letter of intent after verbally committing more than a month ago to attend the school in Painesville, Ohio.
He finished the season with an outstanding 44-2 record at 165 pounds.
“I’ve had people I’ve been wrestling against in my travel that are also wrestling there,” Holmes said. “I’ll have a family there already.”
It was a superb season for Holmes, but it ended on a disappointing note. He had hoped to compete in the state finals and contend for a championship, but an illness prevented him from competing at regionals, eliminating him from further postseason competition.
“I won districts and was ranked first, but I got sick, so the state finals weren’t in the cards,” he said. “It was pretty disappointing, having such a strong year. I was peaking when it came to the postseason, and then I got sick.”
Holmes placed fifth at the state finals as both a freshman and a sophomore.
In addition to Lake Erie, Holmes also seriously considered Albion College, Central Michigan University, and Grand Valley State University.
Signing to continue his wrestling career at the collegiate level is a major milestone for Holmes, who now turns his focus to competing at the next level.