As the Pickerington High School North wrestling program ascends to new heights, its wrestlers are doing the same.

Matt Ferguson, who competes at 171 pounds, and Alec Marsico, a 145-pounder, have become North's first wrestlers to earn 100 wins.

Marsico was the first to do it for a program that started in 2003. He accomplished the milestone in a dual match against Olentangy Liberty on Dec. 16.

"It was pretty much madness," Marsico said of the accomplishment. "I think especially because Ohio is such a good state as far as wrestling."

Marsico defeated Liberty's Craig Thomas 7-6 to get reach 100 victories. He entered the season with 95 wins and after finishing runner-up in the Solon Comet Classic on Dec. 4, he was sitting on 99.

The Panthers finished fourth (150 points) that day to Bedford Chanel (215.5).

Ferguson had 99 wins entering the Medina Invitational Tournament on Dec. 29 and 30. He was fourth at Media, reaching the milestone in his first match. He pinned Liberty Center's Jake Baldwin in 2 minutes, 42 seconds.

North ended up fifth (124.5) at Medina to Lakewood St. Edward (285.5).

This has turned out to be a special year for Ferguson. Not only is he a key figure on a team that has been ranked No. 1 in the Division I district poll all season, his team is poised to win a second consecutive OCC-Ohio Division title with a win at Pickerington Central today.

Ferguson also was named the ThisWeek Super 25 captain in football after he helped lead North to its first playoff appearance.

"This (school year) has been great actually," Ferguson said. "Not only am I performing better sports-wise. I'm staying ahead in my grades. I'm thinking if this year is going to be my last year and I still want to be involved in sports and if I want to play football in college, I have to have the grades."

Ferguson initially tried wrestling to help make him a better football player. He joined his middle school's wrestling team in seventh grade, but didn't make a serious attempt until the following year.

The one-on-one competition during a match drew him back to the mat in high school. Last year he was one of North's two state qualifiers last year.

According to coach Brad Harris, its Ferguson's quickness that gives opponents trouble.

"He's definitely very fast and explosive," Harris said. "He leads us in takedowns and he's a hard-nosed kid."

Ferguson has North's record for takedowns in a season with 137, which he set last year. He's also second on the list with 133, which he set in 2008.

Marsico, who is going to wrestle at Navy next year, is the quintessential mat-rat. He brought home a youth wrestling flyer when he was six and a few days later he was at his first wrestling practice.

The way he talked about it last Friday, it seemed like it happened yesterday. He said he used to play other sports like football and soccer, but then he decided to focus on wrestling.

That was in the third grade.

"My first season, I didn't win a match," Marsico said. "I was like 0-30. After that I started getting better."

Marsico was a state qualifier in 2008 at 112 pounds, but missed last season when he failed to make weight for the sectional. He had been dominant in the regular season, finishing with 36 wins, fifth most all-time in a single season.

He had 41 wins in 2007-08, which is second only to Adam Murray, who had 43 wins in 2003-04. Marsico also entered the season with the most career pins with 46.

North most likely will have others eclipse the 100-win mark. In addition to Ferguson and Marsico, the Panthers have five others that are ranked in the top three in their weight class in the district.

They returned 12 of 14 starters this year. It's a group with a lot of experience.

But there are only two of them right now that are members of the 100-win club.

They'll be the first two that made it, forever.