By DAVID WALSH -- The Herald-Dispatch
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HUNTINGTON -- Huntington High had four individual champions. Eleven of 13 Highlanders placed. The collective effort powered the host school to the Class AAA title in the 22nd annual WSAZ Invitational wrestling tournament.

"The kids appreciate it," Huntington coach Bill Archer said after the competition wrapped up at Veterans Memorial Field House on a snowy Saturday night. "When you win or when you get beat, you get tested. The more times you wrestle close matches, it does something good for you. It helps."

Huntington finished with 230 points. Riverside, Ohio, a first-time entrant, took second with 197.5 points. Herbert Hoover was third with 167.5 points. 

Williamstown, which didn�t have an individual champion, parlayed its depth to capture the Class AA-A team title with 186 points. Independence was second with 159.5 points and Wirt County third with 98.

Huntington�s champions were Billy Barrett at 125, Jason Mays at 145, Joey Thomas at 171 and Mitch Hastings at 215. Placing second for the Highlanders were Robbie Williams at 130 and Steve Riner at 103.

"This means the world to me," Hastings said after his 2-1 overtime win over Jonathon Moles of Herbert Hoover. "An individual title and the team title. It�s tops for now."

Hastings said the big goal is the State Tournament which will be held in Huntington late next month.

Riverside, a Division I school located in Painesville, picked up two individual titles. Eric Lakia defeated Cabell Midland�s Justin Stanley, 12-5, at 119. It was Stanley�s first loss of the season. Neal Lakia, Eric�s older brother, edged Williams, 6-5.

"We enjoyed it," Beavers coach Scott Blank said. "There was some good competition here. That�s what we came for."

Cabell Midland Byron Wellman wrapped up the evening with a 5-0 win over Jackson�s Eric McGhee in the heavyweight finals. 

"Byron keeps getting better," Knights coach Ernie Sparks said.

Sparks said Stanley would benefit from this setback.

"That guy was good," he said. "It�s what we hope for, the kind of match he needs. We�ll see Parkersburg and Parkersburg South kids later. Justin will be better because of this."

Huntington High�s next action is Friday at Fairmont against Fairmont Senior, Buckhannon-Upshur and Nitro.

Cabell Midland travels to Nicholas County on Wednesday for a tri-match against the Grizzlies, Herbert Hoover and Beckley. The Knights return home Thursday to face Spring Valley, Hurricane and St. Albans on Parent�s Night.

Point Pleasant�s John Bonecutter won the title at 160 with a 12-8 win over Jarrod Diamond of Cabell Midland.

Three Nitro wrestlers began the event unbeaten and left that way. Jacob Frerichs won at 103, Matt Easter at 112 and Robbie Ripley at 140.

Independence had two champions -- Jamie Bolen at 152 and Josh Moyer at 189.

Three other team champions were crowned as well. Cabell Midland topped the freshman field with 163 points. Blennerhassett repeated in junior high, holding off Edison, 283-175.

Point Pleasant rolled to the middle school crown with 189 points.