The Herald-Dispatch
POINT PLEASANT, W.Va. -- Huntington High met both of coach Bill Archer’s goals Saturday in the West Virginia Region III wrestling tournament at Point Pleasant High School.
The Highlanders won the championship and qualified all 14 wrestlers in the process. They finished with 281.5 points to 180 for runner-up Nitro in the 10-team tournament.
The top four
finishers in each weight class advance to the 55th annual State Tournament
scheduled Thursday through Saturday at the Huntington Civic Arena.
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Huntington
High continued its domination in this regional. The Highlanders (Pony Express
prior to consolidation) have now won 25 regional titles since 1964. Under
Archer, they have won 22 of the last 31.
Six of Huntington High’s eight wrestlers in the finals won. They were Steve Riner at 112 pounds, Robbie Williams at 130, Chad Nelson at 135, Jason Mays at 160, Kenny Hutchinson at 215 and Trevor Washburn at 275. Nelson and Washburn are freshmen. Hutchinson and Riner are sophomores.
Nitro had its customary four champions -- Anthony Easter at 103, Matt Easter at 119, Jacob Frerichs at 125 and Mitch Casto at 152. The Wildcats had 11 qualifiers overall.
For Point Pleasant, D.J. DeWees won at 145 and Jacob Carr prevailed at 171. The Big Blacks, third in the regional with 163 points, had 10 qualifiers overall.
Cabell Midland’s Chris Gibbs took the title at 140 and Ryan Frazier returned from an injury to win at 189. The Knights, fourth with 159.5 points, had six state qualifiers.
Spring Valley
had six wrestlers advance to the state. The best finish for the Timberwolves
came at 135 where Jason Hutchinson finished runner-up to Nelson.