By DAVID WALSH -- The Herald-Dispatch
CHARLESTON -- Before the championship round in the West Virginia Class AAA, Region III wrestling tournament began Saturday night, Huntington High coach Bill Archer held a team meeting just outside the George Washington High gym.
"I talked to them," Archer said. "It looked a little dark."
Point Pleasant, with seven wrestlers in the finals, led the Highlanders, who had eight going for titles, 196-187.5. Huntington then went 4-4 to 0-7 for the Big Blacks, who lost three head-to-head matches against Huntington.
The charge propelled Huntington to the championship with 203.5 points. It�s the 24th overall for Archer at the new and old Huntington Highs. Point Pleasant finished second with 196 and Cabell Midland third with 189.5.
"Point Pleasant outwrestled us," Archer said. "We came to pick up the trophy. They came to get it. The kids who had to come through for us did."
The scare of the night came in the 160 lb. finals. Point Pleasant�s John Bonecutter had a 3-2 lead over Cabell Midland�s Jarrod Diamond late in the second period when Diamond inadvertently tossed Bonecutter to the mat just as the official�s whistle sounded. Bonecutter�s head struck the mat and he laid face down, motionless for several minutes. Paramedics were called in and they took him to Thomas Memorial Hospital in South Charleston.
"He had a slight concussion," Point Pleasant coach Jack Cullen said Sunday after a talk with the family. "It knocked the edge off the rest of the night. He�s a good kid. He always gives 110 percent. I figured at first he was done. If he has no headaches, he should be able to practice Monday."
The top four finishers in each weight class advance to the 54th annual State Tournament scheduled Thursday through Saturday at the Huntington Civic Arena. Defending champions are Parkersburg South in Class AAA and Oak Glen in Class AA-A.
Huntington High�s champions were Jason Mays at 145, Robert Chaney at 152 Joey Thomas at 189 and Mitch Hastings at 215.
Chaney defeated Point Pleasant�s Matt Warner in overtime. They were tied 4-4 after regulation and neither wrestler scored in the first OT period. Chaney won the coin flip, took down and got a quick escape to score the win. The win by Thomas put the Highlanders ahead to stay.
"That was a critical match," Cullen said.
Cabell Midland and Nitro each had five champions. Cabell Midland�s winners were Justin Stanley (112), Chris Gibson (130), Diamond, Dustin Jordan (171) and Byron Wellman (heavyweight). Wildcats who won were Jacob Frerichs (103), Matt Easter (112), Chris Johnson (125), Mitch Casto (135) and Robbie Ripley (140).
"We wrestled
almost the best the could," Cullen said. "It wasn�t enough. Huntington
was too strong."