Ajay Locke selected as Co-Eagle-Gazette Male Athlete of the Year
Tom WilsonLANCASTER — Being a multi-sport athlete can be challenging, but it also has its rewards, especially when you are one of the best at what you do.
For their accomplishments, Lancaster senior Ajay Locke and Bloom-Carroll senior Beau Wisecarver have been selected as the 2022 Eagle-Gazette Co-Male Athletes of the Year.
Other finalists were Liberty Union senior Jacob Miller, Bloom-Carroll senior Evan Dozer, Berne Union junior Nate Nemeth, Bloom-Carroll senior Luke Ferrell and Lancaster senior Eli Rathburn.
“I’m glad that something paid off for all the hard work I’ve put in through the years in all the sports I’ve played,” Locke said of winning the award. “It’s nice to be recognized for your hard work and the fact that people didn’t know who I was before this, winning this award will show who I am, and they will know how much hard work I’ve put in and exactly what I’m about.
“It means a lot and It is an awesome feeling because there are a lot of individual awards you can get, but this is a big area award and it’s not just for your school, it’s all around. I felt like I was one of the top athletes in the area and this award is proving that.”
Locke excelled in football, wrestling and baseball and took a lot of pride in playing three sports when a lot of athletes specialize in sports these days.
“It means a lot to me because ever since I started playing three sports when I was little, people always told me I would eventually have to pick just one when I started high school or I would get burnt out too much,” Locke said. “I feel like I’ve proven directly that you can not only be successful, but you can be extremely successful in all three sports and play at a high level in all three.”
Locke had an outstanding season in football as a running back and linebacker for the Golden Gales. He led the team in tackles and rushed for more than 600 yards. He was also named first team All-Ohio Capital Conference-Buckeye Division and first All-Central District and was named Division I honorable mention All-Ohio as a linebacker by the Ohio Prep Sportswriters Association.
Locke also earned All-Ohio honors in wrestling by being a state-placer and finished with a 26-5 record, as well being an Ohio Capital Conference-Buckeye Division champion in the 190-pound weight class.
In baseball, Locke was the starting catcher and played a key role in the Gales winning their fourth consecutive Ohio Capital Conference championship, as well as a Division I Central District runner-up finish.
Playing three sports and trying to navigate through the rigors of taking honors classes was something Locke took pride in.
“Playing three sports and being an honors level student doesn’t give you much time to overthink things,” Locke said. “You can’t be anxious because you really don’t have enough downtime to overthink anything. You just have to be confident in your decisions and know what you are doing in the classroom and on the playing field. Confidence is a huge thing to be successful at all levels.”
Locke, who will play football at Ohio Northern University, seemed to save his best for his senior season and feels like his steady progression has prepared him well for the next level.
“It truly proves that I was increasing in my performance through the years,” Locke said. “I didn’t start out at the top and plateau early. I kept climbing the whole way and I ended the year still climbing which will hopefully set me up to have success in college. I feel like with the hard work I put in and continue to apply in college and in my life every year, I will be successful.”
Tom Wilson is a sports reporter for the Lancaster Eagle Gazette. Contact him at 740-689-5150 or via email at twilson@gannett.com for comments or story tips. Follow him on Twitter @twil2323.