Patriots to put streak on line at state wrestling

PARKERSBURG -- There will be 27 wrestlers from area Class AAA programs trying to vie for podium finishes when the 75th annual state tournament begins at 6:30 p.m. Thursday inside Huntington's Mountain Health Arena.

Ripley is sending seven, Parkersburg High has eight and the seven-time defending champion Patriots of Parkersburg South qualified a dozen to the final weekend of the season. However, PSHS head coach Shaun Smith's program is considered an underdog going in behind expected champ Wheeling Park.

"It's going," quipped coach Smith following Monday's practice. "I think the kids are pretty focused. I think they are just ready to go. I think they are tired of practice. They just want to wrestle. Unfortunately, that's part of it. I think they are ready to go. I hope so.

"They (Wheeling Park) have been the favorite and they've proven it. We've been in two tournaments with them and they've beat us, but I liked the way we were wrestling at the end of the year and we are progressing well. We are going to have to wrestle our absolute best to win."

One third of the area grapplers competing were regional champions and that includes 39-4 Patriot Gage Wright. The 170-pound sophomore finished atop the podium last year at 145.

The Patriots also received regional crowns from Brent Bosley (120), Trent Jones (138), Jude Childers (152) and Robert Shockey (160). Shockey and Childers were state runner-up a year ago at 152 and 170, respectively. Aydan Edwards, who is the only other Patriot senior aside from Childers, was regional runner-up at 182 and finished his junior campaign as the state runner-up at 195.

"I'm feeling pretty good right now," admitted Edwards, who lost to Cabell Midland's Nick Giompalo in the regional title match. "I feel like I'm in good shape and feeling strong and ready to go.

"If I see him again it will be in the state finals and if I see him, just go out and take it to him. Don't let him bring it to me. I definitely want to take it all the way, but I do have a pretty rough path to the finals."

Childers said without question "the goal is always to be a state champ and I think this year is my year. I've been working hard and doing everything I need to do. It (last year's finish) has motivated me.

"It just makes me want to get back to the finals and win it this time. It's nervous getting into the finals, especially when it's your first time, but I know what to expect this year and I know how it feels. I think I'll be prepared this year."

Ripley head coach Matt Smith's lone regional champion was 145-pound senior Brett Haskins (39-11). The Jackson County squad also qualified Brock Maston (126), Ethan Kay (132), Garrett Brown (138), Hunter Brown (152), Eli Koontz (160) and 170-pounder Cooper Durst.

The Big Reds of mat boss Matt Littleton, who finished in 10th place last season, are led by the senior trio of George Cantwell (113), Zach Howard (220) and 36-2 heavyweight Jeffrey Jones, who was bested in the regional by Huntington's Robby Martin. Howard and Cantwell were joined as regional champions by 106-pound freshman teammate Simon Inboden.

"I thought we had a shot to get more in, but they fell short of their goal this year," admitted Littleton, whose program also qualified Jesse Showater (120), Braycon Hedges (126), Parker Cole (152) and 170-pounder Mason Merrifield. "You want to see Howard and Jeffrey finish high on the podium, as high as they could be. The pill didn't help them, but at the end of the day you have to wrestle your best to beat the best.

"We're going to see those guys in the semifinals instead of the finals. George is a senior and hasn't been on the podium yet. Getting him there will be big for him. I think we have two able bodied freshmen in Jesse Showater and Simon Inboden who could make the podium and that would be a good start for their careers."

The Patriots also will need solid efforts from Reese Kelley (106), Mackiah Claudio (113), Ryan Martin (132), Kyle Wheeler (145), Ayden Morris (195) and 220-pounder Brycen Arthur if they are to keep their state title streak going.

"If each individual takes care of their part we could do something really great," added the PSHS head coach. "Thing happen in the tournament that you don't ever account for and that could be good or bad."

Contact Jay Bennett at jbennett@newsandsentinel.com

Area Class AAA State

Wrestling Qualifiers

PARKERSBURG SOUTH (12)

106: Reese Kelley (9-21) FR

113: Mackiah Claudio (15-21) SO

120: *Brent Bosley (28-9) JR

132: Ryan Martin (31-11) JR

138: *Trent Jones (31-10) JR

145: Kyle Wheeler (21-20) JR

152: *Jude Childers (19-5) SR

160: *Robert Shockey (29-6) SO

170: *Gage Wright (39-4) SO

182: Aydan Edwards (30-10) SR

195: Ayden Morris (18-18) SO

220: Brycen Arthur (20-14) FR

PARKERSBURG (8)

106: *Simon Inboden (30-7) FR

113: *George Cantwell (30-5) SR

120: Jesse Showater (34-10) FR

126: Braycon Hedges (19-19) SO

152: Parker Cole (22-11) JR

170: Mason Merrified (22-18) JR

220: *Zach Howard (33-6) SR

285: Jeffrey Jones (36-2) SR

RIPLEY (7)

126: Brock Maston (30-17) SR

132: Ethan Kay (22-10) FR

138: Garrett Brown (14-14) FR

145: *Brett Haskins (39-11) SR

152: Hunter Brown (32-16) JR

160: Eli Koontz (22-26) SR

170: Cooper Durst (35-13) FR

*Denotes regional champion

NOTE: The 75th annual state tournament begins at 6:30 p.m. Thursday inside Huntington's Mountain Health Arena