Highlanders rule in wrestling tournament
The Herald-Dispatch
PARKERSBURG -- Seven Huntington High wrestlers won their weight classes Saturday, helping the Highlanders capture the Mountain State Athletic Conference wrestling championship.
The Highlanders defeated Hurricane (60-15) and Logan (54-9) to win their pool. Ripley topped Nitro (60-20), George Washington (78-6) and Spring Valley (63-10) to finish No. 1 in that pool. Host Parkersburg won the other pool with wins over Cabell Midland (40-29) and St. Albans (72-6).
In the semifinals, Huntington knocked off Ripley (45-18) and the Big Reds defeated the Vikings (39-29) to reach the title match. The Highlanders, No. 5 in Class AAA in the latest Coaches Association poll, prevailed in the finale, 46-26.
Highlanders who won individual titles were Steve Riner at 103, Jeremy Ray at 112, Billy Barrett at 125, Robbie Williams at 130, Jason Mays at 145, Joey Thomas at 171 and Mitch Hastings at 215.
Thomas, a senior, had one of the most dramatic matches. He beat Lou Thomas, the first freshman to start for the Big Reds on the varsity level, in overtime, 5-3.
Huntington closes out the regular season Wednesday with a 6 p.m. match at Independence.
Cabell Midland also has its final match of the regular season Wednesday. The Knights travel to Ripley to take on the Vikings and Ravenswood.
Both teams will then focus on the Class AAA Region III Tournament scheduled Feb. 17 at George Washington.