Erik Burnett has had a long-standing impact on wrestling in the state of Ohio.

An Oberlin High School graduate, “Burnie” was a four-time state champ, compiling a record of 128-2 and earning recognition as a Second Team All-American.

He would go on to Clarion University where he continued to impress. Over his four years at Clarion, Burnett qualified for the NCAA Championships three times and was an NCAA All-American with a fifth-place finish in 1992. Burnett left Clarion with an impressive 89-35-1 career record.

While Burnett’s own career ended after Clarion, he would find another way to impact the sport, coaching.

He began his coaching career ​as a volunteer for his alma mater in 1993 and 1994, but found a permanent home at Elyria High School beginning in 1998. For 25 years, Burnett would coach at Elyria and find immense success.

Throughout his two and a half decades at Elyria, Burnett would coach 101 state qualifiers, 63 state place-winners, 26 state finalists, and 12 state champions. Thirty nine of his wrestlers would accumulate 100 or more wins. In six of his 25 years, Elyria would place in Intermat’s national rankings, including a 10th-place finish in 2020.

While Burnett’s coaching accolades are seemingly endless, the impact he had off the mat for his student-athletes and Elyria community is more impressive. Burnett took pride in being a role model and preaching the values of humility, integrity, and determination. His influence is immeasurable and will undoubtedly continue.

While Burnett retired from Elyria in 2022, he is the head coach for Burnett Trained Wrestling where he continues to mentor and coach young wrestlers in Ohio.