TIPP CITY — Tears began to stream from Kerstin Harmon’s eyes shortly after qualifying to the Division II district tournament here Saturday.

The Indian Lake junior 119-pounder won her qualifying match and eventually placed fourth at the Division II sectional tournament at Tippecanoe High School and joined an elite group of Ohio female wrestlers who have qualified to the district.

Indian Lake’s Kerstin Harmon works to reverse Springfield Shawnee’s Ben Russell during their 119-pound district qualifying match Saturday at Tippecanoe High School. EXAMINER PHOTO | AARON LABATT

Even after winning a USGWA state title, placing fourth at the girls national tournament and being an All-American this past summer in Fargo, Saturday’s accomplishment took precedence in Harmon’s heart.

“This is my biggest accomplishment,” said Harmon. “Nationals are big, but you don’t have to qualify. It’s just so tough for girls to compete with guys. So, in my eyes, this means more.”

Harmon also became part of history Saturday by qualifying to the district meet. She is one of two female wrestlers to ever qualify in Division II and is one of just four wrestlers to ever qualify to a district meet in Ohio.

Coincidentally, the other female to qualify in Division II also happened Saturday as Harmon’s friend Paige Nemec of Crestwood also advanced. Nemec qualified out of the West Branch sectional in northeast Ohio. The other two previous qualifiers were both in Division III.

Harmon beat Ben Russell of Springfield Shawnee 7-3 in a consolation semifinals match to qualify. As her hand was raised, Harmon’s eyes began to water as a sense of relief had been lifted off her shoulders.

“My first thought was I finally did it,” said Harmon. “I proved to anyone who doubted me that a girl can wrestle with the boys. It means a lot to me. It’s something I never thought I’d have the potential to do. I was 7 and 29 as a freshman and didn’t think it would be possible to do this.”

Harmon’s accomplishment also meant a great deal to Indian Lake head coach Scott Tressler.

“It means a tremendous amount not just to me, but to the program and mostly to her,” said Tressler. “So often there are females who want to try and be wrestlers, but Kerstin is not that. She is a wrestler who happens to be a female.

“I feel privileged to be a part of something like this and am lucky to have her on the team.”

Harmon was not seeded in Saturday’s sectional tournament, but obstacles have not stopped her from finding success before. She won a Central Buckeye Conference title in junior high and placed fifth and sixth at the sectional tournament during her first two seasons.

After overcoming her latest obstacle, Harmon was quick to thank the person she embraced after the match.

“My mom has been my biggest supporter,” said Harmon. “She has never doubted me and I’m just so grateful that she’s been there for everything for me. I also have to thank my stepdad and coach Tressler.”

After falling into the consolation rounds on Saturday, the Laker earned a pin and a 7-3 decision. Those two wins set up a rematch with Russell. Harmon had beaten Russell 6- 2 in a tri-meet earlier this season, but lost 4-0 to him at the CBC tournament just over a week ago.

A picture of concentration before her match, Harmon was on a mission and left no doubt she would qualify in her go-todistrict bout with Russell.

“It was the most focused I’ve ever been in my entire life,” said Harmon. “I wanted to qualify so bad and something just came over me before the match.”

Harmon scored an early takedown to lead 2-0 in the first period and eventually won 7-3. She was never in danger of losing the match.

“She really embraced having her hand raised in being a district qualifier,” said Tressler. “Every Saturday most guys don’t think much of her being a girl and so I take enjoyment when she goes and takes it to them and can beat them.”