Elevate Your Wrestling Game

Article by Jack Slemenda

March 15, 2026

COLUMBUS — Olentangy Orange junior wrestler Mackenzie Carder’s two-year wait for a state title is over.

The Pioneer topped the podium Sunday.

After finishing as a runner-up her freshman year (110-pound class) and as a sophomore (120-pound class), Carder took home the title in the Division One 120-pound weight class.

Carder took down Marysville’s Cami Leng by a 14-4 major decision in the title bout.

“I’m really excited. This is something I’ve been working towards for a really long time,” Carder said. “I’m just really grateful for all the support that all my family and my coaches give me.”

Carder also thanked her family for unseen sacrifices.

“It’s a lot of sacrifice — gas money and driving, paying for me to go to all these places and just putting up with my silliness,” Carder said.

In terms of any added pressure from her past, Carder said she didn’t hold herself to any standard.

“I was just really excited to get out on the mat and compete,” she said. “I just really focused on trying to think about what I’m going to do in my positioning.”

The importance of teammates & coaches in a solo sport

While it’s just one wrestler against another on the mat, teammates play a crucial role in forming state champions.

Lacie Knick, a former state champion teammate who finished third this year, warmed up Carder before her title tilt.

“[Knick] always pushes me every day. It’s back and forth [between us] most of the time,” Carder said.

“We’ll be going live, and one day I’ll be doing good, and the next day I’m losing my mind because I’m getting my butt kicked.

“I’m just grateful to have a teammate like that who’s going to push me and is a great person.”

Coach Brian Nicola credited Carder’s dedication to her craft.

“[Carder] has a judo background, wrestled when she was younger, but had such a big commitment to her craft in becoming a skilled wrestler,” Nicola said.

“Anytime there’s an opportunity to go learn from somebody, whether it’s somebody on our coaching staff, whether it’s from a coach, a club somewhere, a clinic, camp or even another girl or guy — she’s always been open to that process.

“I’ve never had a kid who is as committed to a task as Mackenzie. This has been three years coming.”

While Carder may be basking in the glory now, she is already thinking about what’s next.

“I’m always thinking about the next thing. I’m just going to keep trying to work hard for whatever I can get next year,” Carder said.

“[I just want to] do the best that I can do, as long as I know I gave it my all — that’s all that matters to me.”