— By David Walsh
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — The theme of the 76th annual WVSSAC State High School Wrestling Tournament might be contest rather than concede.
In recent years, Parkersburg South and Point Pleasant came in expected to roll through the three days and exit with championships. Those teams did for the most part.
This year is different in Class AAA as University, Spring Mills and Parkersburg South are the main contenders to dethrone 2022 champion Wheeling Park.
In Class AA, Fairmont Senior and Independence are ready to give 2022 winner Point Pleasant a run for its money.
University coach Ken Maisel made no great speeches to his team prior to the tournament’s start Thursday.
“Stress to the kids this is nothing special, just another tournament,” Maisel said. “Treat it no differently. Don’t do anything different. We won a 64-man, this is a 16.”
University won Class AAA in the WSAZ Invitational about a month ago at Mountain Health Arena. The Hawks prevailed in the Region 1 Tournament, qualifying 13 wrestlers for the trip here for the 76th state tournament. They had four regional champs: Pepper Martin at 106, Dom Parker at 157, Luca Felix at 175 and Brock Kehler at 215 (52-0 record).
Parkersburg South coach Shaun Smith said his kids have overcome health issues and are ready to go.
“Stick with what we’ve been doing all year,” Smith said. “We’ve made progress. That’s our goal. We’re not the same team. We’ve grown a lot.”
Parkersburg South made a big mark when it won the Ron Mauck OVAC Championships in Wheeling. The Patriots won the Class AAA West Virginia Duals, beating Spring Mills in the title match. They also had 13 wrestlers qualify for the state when they won the Region IV title again. Their regional champs were: Corbin Phillips at 106, Brady Roberts at 126, Makiya Powell at 150, Kyle Wheeler at 157, Gage Wright at 175, Ayden Morris at 215 and Brycen Arthur at 285.
Spring Mills is not seen as much statewide due to its location, but the Cardinals won Region II handily and have 10 wrestlers here. Their regional champs were Dallas Owens at 106, Matthew Dolan at 113, Ross Smelser at 132, Patrick Jackson at 165 and Nathan Graham at 190.
“All season has gone well. This might be the best shot we’ve had to win it,” Cardinals coach Anthony Regalbuto said. “We’ve stayed healthy. That makes me happy. We brought 11. We’ve got to get nine or ten on the podium. That’s what has to be done.”
Point Pleasant, the Region IV winner, is seeking a fifth straight state crown.
“It’s going to be a three-dog race,” Big Blacks coach John Bonecutter said. “We’ve got work to do.”
Bonecutter knows Region I champ Fairmont Senior and Region III winner Independence are in hot pursuit. Fairmont Senior beat Point Pleasant in the Class AA state duals finals. Independence finished fifth. At the WSAZ Invitational, Independence edged Point Pleasant by a half point for the Class AA crown.
“Crunch the numbers and it’s going to be a dogfight,” Fairmont Senior coach Mike Fortier said.
Fairmont Senior has 12 wrestlers in Huntington. Point Pleasant has 13 here, as does Independence.
“The kids have worked hard. This is the the goal,” Fortier said.
Independence coach Cliff Warden had a full team at the regional, something the Patriots had not seen in a while.
“You can tell the real momentum,” Warden said. “Having a full team for the first time and 13 place. We have to wrestle to our capabilities.”
On the individual side, opening night is when regional champs take care of No. 4 seeds rather handily. Huntington’s Joe Riggs took exception to that premise. The No. 4 seed from Region 4 knocked off Region 1 champ Adam Carman of Wheeling Park, 5-3.
“I was in an underdog situation. A lot of people counted me out, but not me,” Riggs said. “I’ve got to stay humble and come back and do it again.”
Region IV is one of the most difficult, especially since Parkersburg South got moved there from Region I.
“It’s a tough region,” Riggs said. “That regional was not me. Tonight was.”
Riggs got an escape and takedown in the third to get the win.
“I broke his hands and got out. I got a double leg, took him down and rode it out,” Riggs said.
Huntington High coach John Dempsey was more than elated at the outcome.
“Got fourth in the region and came back and worked his butt off,” Dempsey said. “Got two (assistant) coaches his size. They worked it out. I was leaning neutral (start of third). Down is his best position; we went with it. He’s confident on his feet. He got the takedown and rode it out. Big thing is we’ve got three (matches) left. This is behind us.”
On the expected side, George Washington’s Ben McComas of George Washington pinned Hurricane’s Carson Bailey at 1:50. McComas is the Region II champion who also won the WSAZ here.
“He’s got the right focus,” Patriots coach Alex Neal said. “He knows what he’s doing.”
McComas placed third here last year.
“Reset and get ready,” he said of the break between the regional and state. “Do what I’m capable of.”
Complete results are available at wvmat.com.