Longtime area wrestling fans more than likely remember the name Clayton Grice. Clayton was born in Huntingdon and graduated from Mount Union. He then wrestled for North Carolina State. After serving an enlistment in the Air Force, he made his career in car sales in Omaha.

Clayton was a state champion for the Trojans in 1988, winning the 126-pound AA title. Clayton went on to wrestle at NC State, where he was a two-time ACC champion, a four-time All-ACC student-athlete and a four-time NCAA qualifier.

Clayton passed along his wrestling genes. His son Garrett last year won his third straight Nebraska state championship. Sadly, days after winning, Garrett’s father passed away (September 6, 1970 – March 3, 2021).

In early January of this year, Garrett committed to wrestle at the University Of Virginia.

Wrestling with a heavy heart, Garrett set out to win his fourth straight state title. He would not be denied, winning his four state matches by scores of 22-6, 24-7, 25-10 (championship match) and a pin to finish his senior season with a 50-0 record! His career record? An astonishing 196-1!

Congratulations on an amazing career, Garrett! And good luck at UVA! We’ll be following your successes.