Parkersburg High School junior Stephen Myers, pictured here after winning his third individual state championship, was selected as the Robert Dutton Award winner for being the Mountain State's best wrestler. (Photo courtesy Brian Cox Photography)

PARKERSBURG — The journey for Parkersburg High School three-time state champion Stephen Myers is far from over, but the junior and former national title winner at Fargo will be adding to his trophy case after being selected as the 42nd annual Robert Dutton Award winner for being the best wrestler in the Mountain State by the West Virginia Sports Writers Association.

“Stephen is a phenomenal wrestler and an even better young man and leader. We are super excited for him to win the Dutton,” said PHS head coach Matt Littleton of the future West Virginia University Mountaineer. “Since he’s come into the program we all knew he was a special talent and he’s lived up to the hype.

“It’s been a pleasure to watch him continue to excel at wrestling, chase goals and reach them. It’s also been a pleasure to watch him grow as a young man and continue to just get better every day. Excited to see what the future holds for him this summer, next season and eventually college at WVU.”

Myers capped his 50-5 junior campaign with the 138-pound Division I state crown as the Big Reds finished runner-up in the team race to University.

“I was very shocked, but not shocked at the same time because of how much hard work I’ve put into this sport,” admitted Myers, who also won Class AAA titles at 126 and 132.

“I was also pretty shocked about it because it usually goes to seniors and we had a four-timer in (Parkersburg South’s) Jesse Adams, and that’s who I thought it was going to be.”

Myers, who is the first Big Red to win the Dutton Award since Jordon Nolan in 2010, has cherished every moment of his journey.

“It started a long time ago,” said the Big Red. “My coaches when I wrestled for Roane my first year of wrestling when I was like 5 years old, my coaches told my parents that they saw something in me that they hadn’t seen in a while and they needed to take me someplace out of Roane County. The next year my parents sent me to Ripley and I wrestled with them for a year.

“That led to being coached by Bobby Cooper and the Intensity Wrestling Club. I got so much better from in there. That really prepared me for how much hard work I need to do just to be the best and then middle school hit. I went to Ripley for my seventh grade year and my eighth grade year I transferred to Jackson.”

Coach Littleton knew from day one that Myers had all the tools needed to dominate on the mat, but he had to go out and prove it.

“I think when he first came to us it was his God given physical abilities, but lately he’s developed the mental side of things and is always asking questions on where he can improve.

“I think he’s right on pace to reach his full potential. He is the best wrestler in the state and I believe he has the best room in the state to push him every day.”

Myers gave considerable thanks to his parents, PHS assistant coach Chris Way and the staff as well as 2016 Dutton honoree Lucas Simpkins of Ripley.

“He used to coach me,” Myers said of Simpkins. “He was another person in my life that impacted me a lot. He won it his junior year as well. It’s just truly a blessing. I just love the whole journey itself. It’s been so nice.

“Of course, there’s going to be ups and downs. That’s just the sport though, but the thing is that none of this would have happened if my parents didn’t do all their sacrifices that they’ve done for me all through my life.”

Three-time state champion Maximus Fortier, who won his first two titles at Fairmont Senior (144/157) and the 175-pound Division I crown this year for University, was runner-up for the Dutton Award.

Myers will be honored at the 79th annual Victory Awards Dinner on May 3 at the Charleston Town Center.

“I’ve loved every moment of my high school (career),” Myers added. “I’ve created a lot of memories with my team throughout these three years.

“It’s been such a journey. Bleeding, sweating in the practice room together, but we’re not done yet. We still need one more job. We got to get that team title.”

Robert Dutton Award Winners

1985 – Dave Miller, Parkersburg South

1986 – Mike Lantz, Parkersburg

1987 – Vinnie Monseau, Wheeling Park

1988 – John Crain, Oak Glen

1989 – Gary Tuttle, Parkersburg

1990 – Todd Kendall, Spencer

1991 – Jay Michael, North Marion

1992 – R.C. Anderson, Cameron

1993 – Doug Moore, North Marion & Mike Mason, Williamstown

1994 – Mark Samples, George Washington

1995 – Jason Taylor, Wheeling Park

1996 – Jeremy Hart, Independence

1997 – Ryan Muldrew, John Marshall

1998 – Jason Johnson, Parkersburg South

1999 – Mike Miller, Wirt County

2000 – Anthony Regalbuto, Hedgesville

2001 – Matt Stevens, Parkersburg High

2002 – Jeff Courtney, Fairmont Senior

2003 – Matt Easter, Nitro

2004 – Lou Thomas, Parkersburg High

2005 – Brandon Rader, Parkersburg High

2006 – Chad Porter, Parkersburg South

2007 – Dustin Haislip, Musselman

2008 – Seth Easter, Nitro

2009 – Mason Bailey, East Fairmont

2010 – Jordon Nolan, Parkersburg

2011 – Josh Fisher, Roane County

2012 – Dylan Cottrell, Roane County

2013 – Justin Arthur, Huntington

2014 – Dalton George, Williamstown

2015 – Logan Grass, Huntington

2016 – Lucas Simpkins, Ripley

2017 – Noah Adams, Independence

2018 – Josh Humphreys, Parkersburg South

2019 – Braxton Amos, Parkersburg South

2020 – Braxton Amos, Parkersburg South

2021 – Gavin Quiocho, Parkersburg South

2022 – Derek Raike, Point Pleasant

2023 – Ethan Osborne, Woodrow Wilson

2024 – Gage Wright, Parkersburg South

2025 – Brock Kehler, University

2026 – Stephen Myers, Parkersburg