178th Security Forces member wins wrestling tournament

Staff Sgt. Brandan Holliday, 178th Security Forces Squadron, won first place in the Ohio Police and Fire Games wrestling tournament, Canton Ohio, June 14.

Holliday entered the wrestling tournament after returning from a deployment where he focused on staying fit.

“While I was deployed I participated in Open Mats,” said Holliday. "That helped me get in good shape."

During the week-long tournament, Holliday had four matches in five days. Due to the way the weight classes were set up, the 182 pound Holliday had to wrestle a 210 pound individual in the semi-finals and a 220 pound individual in the final match.

Holliday wrestled in high school at Hillsboro and went to state in 2000. He also coached several high school teams over the years.

“I hadn’t wrestled in over a decade,” said Holliday, “I did it because it’s something that I enjoy. I surprised myself.”

The Games offer more than 35 events to participants, with local first responders coordinating the events.