By DAVID WALSH - The Herald-Dispatch
 

Jeff Gentner/The Herald-Dispatch Huntington's Zack Fraley is declared 103 lbs class champion Saturday at the 26th Annual WSAZ Invitational at the Veterans Memorial Fieldhouse.

HUNTINGTON -- Huntington High�s Kenny Hutchinson started off with a pin in his first match in the 26th annual WSAZ Invitational wrestling tournament at Veterans Memorial Field House.

The senior returned to form the next two rounds, edging Cabell Midland�s Adam Varney, 3-2, in the quarterfinals and Daniel Tench of Point Pleasant, 1-0, in the semifinals.

In the title match Saturday night, Hutchinson broke from form, scoring two takedowns and one escape to post a 5-2 victory over David Wojo of Riverside.

The outcome had observers wondering when Hutchinson (34-1) last cut loose.

"It�s been a while," he said as he smiled at Highlanders backers in the stands. "About a month."

Hutchinson�s victory gave Huntington a 2-1 record in the finals. At 103, sophomore Zack Fraley beat Robert Rash of Independence, 8-6, in overtime after trailing 6-2. At 119, Josh Neal of Shady Spring edged Steve Riner, 3-2.

Parkersburg South, coming off the emotional 29-27 win over city rival Parkersburg last Wednesday, repeated as WSAZ champion with 322.5 points. The Patriots, ranked No. 2 in Class AAA, had four champions and all 13 entries placed.

Huntington finished second with 219 points. The Highlanders, who have eight sophomores in the starting lineup, had 10 wrestlers place.

"A good effort. He just keeps fighting," Highlanders coach Bill Archer said of Fraley.

As for Hutchinson, he survived similar close calls against Wojo in the finals at the Pat Vance Nitro Invitational two weeks ago and against Varney in their dual last Saturday at John Marshall. Hutchinson won that one, 2-1, in a rideout in overtime.

"I�ve been watching him for four years," Archer said. "He�s driving me nuts."

As for the state rankings, the Highlanders were No. 3 going into the WSAZ. They are unbeaten in duals this season.

"We�ve come a long way from the beginning of the season," Hutchinson said. "The younger guys are stepping up. The goal is to get ready for the state."

The State Tournament is scheduled Feb. 26-28 at the Big Sandy Superstore Arena.

Kyle Walters, senior at champion at 171 for Parkersburg South, said this event could be a preview of what happens a month from now. The Patriots were runner-up to Parkersburg in 2003.

"It definitely could," he said. "It (win over Parkersburg) definitely was big, but we had to come back and get ready for this. Everyone was up. This definitely helps us get ready for the state. We know what we need to work on."

In Class AA-A, Williamstown finished on top with 141 points.

For the younger wrestlers, Point Pleasant Middle repeated as champion in that division with 235 points. Western Greenbrier finished No. 1 in junior high with 223. Cabell Midland No. 1 led the freshman field with 120.

Jared Searls (78), Anthony Jeffers (116) and Orville Workman (128) each finished runner-up. Overall, Point Pleasant had nine wrestlers place.

"We�re pretty solid," coach David Darst said. "We can wrestle with anybody. This was a tough one. This is the best wrestling I�ve seen in the WSAZ."

Newcomer Miami Trace placed third in middle school with 210.5 points. The Panthers, who had three tournament wins coming in, led in individual champs with three.

Between 4:45 p.m. Friday and 10 p.m. Saturday, more than 1,150 wrestlers competed in more than 1,900 matches.

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