As fall sports wrap up and temperatures take a decisive drop in Northeast Ohio, one thing becomes unmistakably clear: it's wrestling season. And nowhere is that more evident than at Brush High School, which is preparing to host one of the largest and most respected all-girls wrestling events in the region—the 5th Annual Mike Fording Invitational, set for December 7, 2025, 9:00am, at Brush High School (4875 Glenlyn Rd., Lyndhurst, OH).

What began in 2024 as a tribute to the late Brush principal Michael Fording, who passed away from cancer in November 2023, has evolved rapidly into a marquee showcase for the sport's explosive growth. The inaugural event drew nearly 50 programs from Ohio and Pennsylvania and provided many schools with their first opportunity to compete in a true all-girls environment.
 
A Tournament Built on Purpose
The Invitational was created not just to honor Mike Fording's memory (though that alone would have been enough), but to champion one of the fastest-rising sports in America. Girls wrestling, once a rarity, has surged nationwide:

- Girls began wrestling informally on boys' teams as early as the 1970s.
- Hawaii became the first state to officially sanction girls wrestling in 1998.
- Today, 45 states have formally sanctioned girls wrestling or host separate state championships.
- The NFHS adopted standardized girls weight classes beginning in 2023–24.
- In Ohio, girls wrestling became an officially sanctioned OHSAA sport in 2022–23, with the first official state tournament held in March 2023.

Thanks to trailblazing athletes and expanding support, girls wrestling is now the fastest-growing high school sport in the United States.
 
A Smooth, High-Level Competition Environment
Brush has earned praise for hosting a first-class, efficient, and athlete-centered event. This year again features a pool-to-bracket format, run on four mats in a single gym, ensuring constant action and an energetic environment.
Last year, Brush successfully moved 240 wrestlers through competition.
 
The Local Talent: Brush Wrestlers Among the Area's Best
Cleveland.com recently named its Girls Wrestling Preseason All-Stars, and Brush High School is well-represented, signaling another exciting winter for the Arcs:

Honorable Mention Selections
DeAirder Barnes-Daniels (So.) – 100 lbs
Lyneyya Anthory (Sr.) – 110 lbs
Leah James (Jr.) – 115 lbs
Precious Werman (Jr.) – 135 lbs
Elianna Steele (Jr.) – 190 lbs
Tatianna Johnson (Sr.) – 235 lbs

Featured Weight Classes
Olivia Fox (Sr.) – 140 lbs
A skilled upper-weight leader for Brush and a returning force in the lineup.
   Olivia Fox and Brooklyn Baskin give the Arcs toughness and technique in the middle of their line-up...

Brooklyn Baskin (Sr.) – 155 lbs
A  45-12 standout last season, Baskin was Mentor District runner-up and earned a victory at the state tournament. She returns as one of the most seasoned competitors in the field.

Amari Johnson (So.) – 170 lbs
One of Brush's brightest rising stars, Johnson went 52-6 as a freshman, won a district title, and finished 7th in the state after a dramatic overtime win. Her power, poise, and mat maturity make her one to watch.

These athletes—and a deep roster behind them—ensure that Brush will not only host but also compete at a high level in this year's edition.
 
A Celebration of Growth, Grit, and Legacy
The Mike Fording Invitational continues to honor a leader who believed deeply in Brush students and their potential. In just its fifth year, the event has become a major stop on the girls' wrestling calendar—one that blends competitive excellence, community pride, and the spirit of a sport that's expanding faster than ever.  On December 7, the mats will be rolled out, the gym will come alive, and hundreds of athletes will step into the circle ready to seize their moment. The legacy of Michael Fording endures—one whistle, one match, and one rising wrestler at a time.

Mike Fording & Family, Fall of 2023