Jackson wrestling gets stronger as 3 state-placers transfer back home

Stark County wrestling should be more balanced this winter.

All-Americans Caige and Xander Horak and Lincoln Rohr — state-placers at Federal League-powerhouse Perry — will wrestle for league-rival Jackson High School this winter after transferring in the offseason. All three live in Jackson Township, so this is not exactly a move as much as it is a return home.

The trio helped Perry finish tied for third as a team at the OHSAA Division I state wrestling tournament this past season.

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The Horaks finished the 2025-26 school year at Jackson. Rohr already has had all his paperwork transferred over to Jackson and will be there in August for the start of the school year.

Because Perry has open enrollment and all three are transferring to their home school district, they will not have to miss any time on the mat.

"It was just time," said John Horak, who is the father of Caige and Xander. "Jackson has a great school system. We’re looking forward to the opportunity of changing the program’s trajectory.

"They have all the resources. We’re hoping with us coming in there, it opens some eyes. The facilities are like Division I college facilities. It will open up new opportunities for us."

Jackson wrestling transfers have strong wrestling resumes

Caige Horak is a Pitt commit and three-time state placer. He finished as a Division I state runner-up at 190 pounds last season and is a Fargo All-American.

Xander Horak missed most of last season with an injury but is a state placer and Fargo All-American. He'll be a junior this season for the Polar Bears.

Rohr, who is the grandson of Perry legend Dave Riggs, is a three-time state placer and Fargo All-American.

"He's going back to his home school," Riggs said. "He just wants to have another environment for himself to be able to train in and be with the Horaks and be at Jackson with all the Jackson kids and coaches."

Rohr is not coming alone as Riggs will be an assistant for the Polar Bears next season under Jackson head coach Ronnie Hepner.

Riggs coached for 35 years, 29 at Perry. He's mentored 30 state champions, 18 runners-up, 106 state placers and 175 state qualifiers. The Panthers won a team state title in 2014 and were runners-up nine times. They also won a dual state title in 2014.

Riggs was part of 21 Federal League titles and finished with a 311-57-1 dual meet record as a coach.

Brad Bournival can be reached by email at bbournival@usatodayco.com and is on X at @bbournival.

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Jackson wrestling gets stronger as 3 state-placers transfer back home