— By David Walsh
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — After the first round, Wheeling Park finds itself where it expected to be in the Class AAA standings — in first place
The Patriots, ranked No. 1 for much of the season and hoping to end Parkersburg South’s state title run at seven, piled up 43 points in the opening session Thursday night in the 75th annual West Virginia State High School Tournament at Mountain Health Arena.
“We heard the talk coming in,” Wheeling Park coach Brian Leggett said. “We’re the target. Told the kids don’t do anything different. Wrestle like you’ve been wrestling all season. There’s no extra pressure. We’re a bonus-point team. We started the momentum early and kept it going.”
University is second with 38 points. The Hawks suffered an early blow when they had one wrestler not make weight. Parkersburg South has 32 points and Spring Mills 30.
In Class AA, Point Pleasant the overwhelming favorite to win the team title for the fourth straight year, leads with 46 points. The Big Blacks has nine wrestlers come in as regional champions. They had 14 qualifiers overall. Justin Bartee at 145 and Derek Raike at 160 are trying for a fourth state crown. Fairmont Senior is second with 23.5 points.
In Class A, Cameron is the frontrunner with 23.5 points. Greenbrier West is next with 18.
Action resumes Friday at 11:30 a.m. with quarterfinals and consolation matches. The semifinal round is Friday night at 7:30 p.m.
On Saturday, consolation matches start at 10:30 a.m. and continue through place matches. Championship round starts at 6 p.m.
All former state champs and inductees into the West Virginia chapter of the Wrestling National Hall of Fame are asked to meet at 5:30 p.m. to join in the parade of champions.