The Parkersburg High School wrestling team won the Class AAA state regional duals championship on Saturday in Lewisburg by defeating University, 38-34, in the title match. Big Red 175-pounder Jesse Showalter was named Outstanding Wrestler and head coach Matt Littleton was honored with the Archer Award. (Courtesy photo)

LEWISBURG – The Parkersburg High School wrestling program of head coach Matt Littleton brought several pieces of hardware back home to Memorial Fieldhouse on Saturday when the Big Reds nipped University, 38-34, to capture the West Virginia Class AAA team state duals championship.

The Big Reds used pins by heavyweight Gabe Davies, 175-pounder Jesse Showalter, 138-pounder Kayden McDonald and 120-pounder C.J. Carrodus as well as three technical falls by Stephen Myers (132), Dominic Way (144) and Parker Woods (157) to nip Woodrow Wilson in the semifinals, 39-31.

“I thought top to bottom the team really came together and performed as a team,” admitted coach Littleton, who was given the Archer Award. “Gabe Davies sealed the win for us against Woodrow Wilson. We knew Woodrow would be tough and we made some risky moves at first that did play in our favor but others stepped up and showed grit to get past Woodrow.”

Despite giving a forfeit at 150 to Hawk Carter Pauley, the Big Reds had just enough to withstand mat slappers from University’s Brock Kehler (285), Jackson Pate (215) and Ryder Hastings (190).

The red and white received a 29-second pin by Aiden Linko of Austin Hummel at 106.

PHS also watched Myers pin Nico Maisel with two seconds left in the 132-pound match.

McDonald and Way came through with identical 19-3 technical falls versus Timofey Husk and Lincoln Stuart at 138 and 144, respectively. Carrodus also registered a 15-0 tech fall of Kaden Nieman at 120.

The four-point margin of victory was aided by a pair of major decisions. Colston Skeens took care of Hawk 126-pounder Colton Gillespie, 9-0, while Woods won 10-0 versus Max Vitale at 157.

Showalter emerged with a 14-11 sudden victory at 175 against Emerson Murphy and was named Outstanding Wrestler.

“We knew we had a shot, but everyone had us as underdogs,” added coach Littleton. “We got beat by University a few weeks ago and they are a tough squad, but Parker Woods came out and avenged a loss to Vitale.

“Woods has been wrestling extremely well the past few weeks. We bumped Showalter up to 175 and he beat the number two ranked wrestler to seal the deal.”

Coach Littleton continued “Jesse had a great weekend with some good wins and was deserving of OW for sealing the win over number one ranked University.

“The Archer Award was an honor to win, but the real glory goes to the young men that performed this weekend and showed a lot of grit and toughness through some adversity.”

The Big Reds, who compete Thursday at Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary, finished first in Region IV ahead of rival Parkersburg South, which placed fourth after falling 41-40 to the Flying Eagles in the consolation match.

Parkersburg South head man Shaun Smith received mat slappers from Jordan Dearth (120), Corbin Phillips (144), Asa Yost (157), Cole Middleton (175), Brycen Arthur (215) and heavyweight Logan Middleton. Patriot Aaydin King won his 132-pound match via a 13-3 major decision of Jacob Meadows.

On Friday, Point Pleasant nipped Ripley, 36-34, to capture the Class AA/A team state duals title.

The Vikings had a trio of pins thanks to Terry Osbourne (113), Kendrick Durst (126) and 157-pounder Ethan Kay.

Ripley 215-pounder Cooper Durst won by technical fall. Teammates T.L. Koontz (120) and Mason Philyaw (144) recorded major decisions while heavyweight Carter Neal won by decision.