When the summer comes to an end and students begin the process of returning to school, Ashland University is already buzzing with excitement as the athletes for the fall sports seasons hit the ground running with practices every day. Among those returning, there are many newcomers that will be showing their faces around campus and starting to familiarize themselves with the city, but for Grant Denbow and Sid Ohl, Ashland University has been in their backyard for years.

Denbow and Ohl, are both Ashland natives that are making the short journey from one end of King Road to the other as they trade in the orange and black for the purple and gold.

Ashland has been someplace special for both of these athletes and the hometown feel was an extra reason on the list of why to join the AU family.

“I chose to live on campus to have the full college experience while still living in my hometown.” Ohl said.

Ohl, who comes from a long line of wrestlers, is continuing his passion for wrestling this year. A passion that started when he was just four years old. His first match, although, did not come until a few years later in sixth grade where he qualified for state.

“I chose Ashland because they have a great wrestling team and coaches. They make a great environment that I feel will set me up for future success.”

The wrestling team finished the 2016-2017 season sixth in the country at the national championship.

They also acquired their first national champion who also holds the program’s all time wins. During his high school career, Ohl set seven out of eight school records. He finished his career with a 164-29 record. Ohl hung up his orange and black singlet for the final time after his biggest accomplishment toward the end of his 2016 season when he went to the Ohio State Championships and finished second.

“The whole year and throughout my high school career, I set out to be a state champ. I knew all season long that there was one opponent in my way and I ended up meeting him in the state finals. I gave it everything I had and at the end of the day everyone was proud of me; my team, coaches, family, and myself.”

During Ohl’s 2015-2016 season, he went to state again where he finished seventh and the year before was an alternate. Ohl said his motivation to do well in his matches comes from the knowing fact that his family and coaches were always there watching and cheering for him. Now that the days of high school are in the past, Ohl is looking forward to his future at Ashland University.

Although, he is not sure what to major in, he is living on campus and is looking forward to not only a new season but great food as well.

“I’m looking forward to see how far the sport of wrestling can take me,” Ohl said. “The future is bright but my goals for my first match are trying to not be nervous and going out there to try my best.”

While one former Arrow is heading to hit the mats, the other is moving to help “Pack the Jack.”

Denbow is a former quarterback at AHS and is moving to the Jack Miller stadium to pursue his football career.

While at AHS, Denbow threw for more than 5,000 yards and had 47 touchdowns in his prep career. He also added 757 yards and 12 rushing touchdowns. Denbow helped the team win two Ohio Cardinal Conference titles and have three appearances at the Ohio state playoffs. Denbow had many accomplishments during his time at Ashland High including earning All-Ohio honors, Academic All-Ohio, all- district and three first team OCC honors.

Denbow will get to sit behind and learn from Travis Tarnowski, one of the best quarterbacks in AU history for a year while he adjusts to the collegiate level.

The Eagles ended their season last year with an overall record of 9-2 and a 5-0 home record and will kickoff the 2017 season with a road matchup with Indiana University of Pennsylvania on August 31.

The future as an Eagle is bright for these two former Arrows as they will look to leave the same impact on AU as they did to Ashland High school.