By Joey White for WVMetroNews.com
PARKERSBURG, W.Va. – After capturing its third consecutive state title last year, the Parkersburg South wrestling team continued its reign as one of the most dominant athletic programs in West Virginia.
This year, with the addition of standout sophomore Braxton Amos, the Patriots are poised to return to championship glory once again.
Amos adds even more depth to a talented team looking to cap off its second straight four-peat in the past 10 years.
“They’re great,” Amos said regarding his teammates. “They’ve been super supportive of the goals we set as a team, and the goals that we’ve set individually. I couldn’t ask for a better coaching staff behind us as well.”
In the 13 years that Amos has been wrestling, he’s crushed some competition of his own. Unfortunately, major knee surgery kept the 10-time West Virginia junior state champion off the mat for his freshman season.
Coming into his sophomore year, Amos was motivated to show what he’s capable of on the high school level. He did just that in early December, defeating Ben Goldin, the 12-ranked wrestler in the nation, to win the 2017 Walsh Jesuit Ironman championship at 220 lbs.
“Winning that match was a big priority in my mind because I hadn’t proved myself on a scholastic level yet,” said Amos. “I wasn’t there to do anything big or flashy. I was just there to do what I needed to get first.”
Amos became just the third Patriot to win an Ironman title in school history.
“It was amazing,” said Amos. “To be just the third one from my school to win an Ironman championship, and the first one in my lifetime, it’s been a ride.”
With an Ironman title legitimizing his national then-No. 2 ranking from Flowrestling, Amos is focused on accomplishing the goals he set for himself to begin his first high school wrestling campaign.
“The season’s not over yet,” said Amos. “I mean I still have a couple tough tournaments left and a state tournament to wrestle. Individually, I have a lot of seniors coming through who have one last chance to win a state title, plus a state champion that I’ll have to wrestle eventually.”
As for the future, the hardworking Amos has his sights set on competing well beyond his high school years, earning an education in the process.
“Wrestling at the collegiate level has always been a goal of mine since elementary school, and hopefully even past that,” said Amos. “I need to keep on bettering myself on and off the mat. There’s always someone better out there for me to chase.”