For the first time in more than a decade and a half, Wheeling Park is a Class AAA state wrestling champion.
The Patriots narrowed their wire-to-wire drive to their first title since 2006, scoring 207.5 points with five different titleists and nine placewinners, bettering the varsity's 176. Spring Mills was flown with 155 by Huntington with 126. Parkersburg South, in which two wrestlers were kicked out of the tournament due to sports outages, had 116. John Marshall was ninth with 85.
“That is what we are building for. These kids have invested not only in themselves but as a team, and it has paid off,” said Wheeling Park head coach Brian Leggett. Team effort. We have 16 kids in our house who push these people every day. We get a lot of support from our parents, our school, our administration and our community.”
Wheeling Park also claimed the title in 1977, 778, 81, 86, 87 and 2006. Wheeling High won the crown in 1953 and 1969.
The Patriots officially won the team crown in an All-OVAC 132-pound final match with a pin from Nate Shellack's Karl Cochrane.
Park Sr. took a 5-0 lead after a period and 7-1 before the pin, which came just before the buzzer sounded.
"I feel like I'm on top of the world," Shelleck said. “I am very proud to have won the state title on this team. it feels great."
Shelleck won the state title as a freshman before finishing third in the last two years. they have their
Career with a bookend win. He is also an OVAC title list.
"It's great to win an individual title and a state title in the same year," he said. "I am very proud of my teammates and coaches."
"I'm very proud of Nate," Leggett said. "He has had a great career. He works hard and deserves whatever he earns."
Junior Bradin Lucas (138) posted another fall after Shelleck's win - it was a 1:45 of the first period against Tucker Hurst of Buckhann-Upshur, whom he had lost in the Region I final two weeks earlier. .
In a goalless fight, Lucas got a takedown on a throw that quickly landed Hearst on his back.
"It feels great," allowed Lucas, who broke an ankle late last season and wasn't able to compete.
He was also the OVAC champion this year.
"It definitely sounds better," Lucas said. "I'm a state champ."
"I told you we love Bradin'," Leggett said. "To come out and throw a baby she lost two weeks ago and then get the pin, it's outstanding."
Senior Gabe Carman (160) was next. Their match lasted for the first period with them leading 3–2 on a late takedown. However, his opponent, Robert Shockey of Parkersburg South, was called out for one of the above major non-player-like conduct calls. The match was forfeited as Carman raised his hand.
"A win is a victory, no matter what happens," Carman said. "It feels good. It also feels good that we are winning as a team. I love these guys."
"You hate to see something like this in a championship match, but we'll take it."
Leggett said. "Gabe couldn't wrestle last year so it's a great feeling for him to win the state title."
The Eric Brothers Jr. (220) capped an excellent weekend with Colin McBee's pin of the varsity in 1:45.
Brothers Jr. allowed, "It feels great to win your third title, but it's also great to be state champion." "These guys have invested so much. We have a brand new facility to practice and people work hard every day."
"Eric is Eric," Leggett praised. "He just goes out there and takes care of business."
Leggett was still a little shocked by what had happened.
"I don't think it (the state title) has affected me yet, but it will," he said. “This team is a special group that has invested in each other and in themselves.
"When (assistant coach) Todd (Sheleck) started Wheeling Wrestling Club 10 years ago, that's what he envisioned. Now we have a brand new facility and people are buying into what we're teaching them.
"It's a great feeling."
Freshman Noah White (106) lost 6-1 to Matthew Dolan of Spring Mills, who also won the title last season.
Other placers included sophomore Anthony Carmen (113, IV); Junior Quinton Velas (152, 4th); and senior Hunter Nixon (182, 5th).
The Monarchs had placewinners in newcomer Cayden Harding (113, 6th); senior Ben McCardle (170, 5th); and freshman Klipson Wallace (182, 6th).
Brooke
Sophomore Tyler Wise (195) head coach Doug Sizemore called the "tough" weight category, finishing fourth.
Wise qualified as a freshman but didn't win a match, which Sizemore said helped him this year.
"He took some bales last year, but he used it to his advantage this year. It was a learning experience.
"Overall, Sizemore was pleased with his team's effort.
“This year we had three qualifiers and it is a testament to the hard working kids. We were a young team."