Pappas continues Big Red’s storied wrestling tradition, goes Division I with Edinboro

STEUBENVILLE - Ethan Pappas said he had two goals as a kid -- win a state championship and wrestle at the Division I level.

The Big Red senior made one of those a reality on Monday, signing his letter of intent to wrestle for Edinboro University.

"Since I was a little kid, when I first stepped on the mat at four years old, I always wanted to go D-I and win a state title," Pappas said. "It means everything to me."

Pappas is the reigning 160-pound OVAC champion, has over 100 career wins and was a state placer as a sophomore. He is set to wrestle at 170 pounds this year.

"If you've followed Ethan the last couple of years, you know what an exciting wrestler he is," Big Red head wrestling coach Mike Blackburn said. "He lives and dies by this sport. He's one of the hardest workers that I've had in 16 years (at Big Red). He is definitely deserving and Edinboro picked up a great future college wrestler."

He didn't get the chance to try for the state title last season with the coronavirus pandemic canceling the state tournament, but, like all winter athletes around the area and state, he's hopeful to get another shot at the fulfilling the rest of his goals this season.

"All my focus is on that state title now," Pappas said. "(Signing) takes a lot of weight off my shoulders. Last year, I was wrestling with no pressure, but, it was in the back of my mind wondering who's watching, wondering if (college) coaches are watching me.

"Now, being signed and committed, I can go out there, enjoy my senior year, have fun and have all my focus on that state title."

For Pappas, Edinboro is where it seemed the best fit to make his next set of goals - at the collegiate level - become a reality.

"(Edinboro has) a great coaching staff, the first conversation we had we instantly connected," he said, noting he initially considered other schools.

"I knew if I wanted to be a D-1 All-American, D-I national champion, that was the place for me."

Pappas is the ninth Big Red wrestler to sign at the Div. I level in the past five years.

"If you look at the past (of Big Red wrestling), it doesn't lie," Pappas said. "If you want to go to the D-I (level) from around here, you should come to (Big Red) because we have the best coaching staff."

His coach credited the athletes themselves for the success of the program.

"It's exciting for the kids and for the program," Blackburn said. "It shows the hard work they have put in for the last 10 years. This program has been up and coming and we've been pretty dominant in the last 10 years. All of these kids want to go Division I, that's everyone's dream of course, and wrestling is one of the harder sports to get a scholarship to compete at the Division I level. We've been very blessed very good kids and good workers.

"If you look at the long line of people that we've had, that's from elementary on up, (wrestling collegiality) was their goal. Most of them were multiple-sport athletes, but these guys have fell in love with wrestling and made it their dream. It's a great coaching staff, a great school and great kids. I'm glad it made it possible for some of these guys."