— By David Walsh
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — Division I in the 78th West Virginia State High School Wrestling Tournament is going down to the wire.
In the two-team race, defending champion University and 2025-runner-up Parkersburg created little separation Friday in the semifinal round at Mountain Health Network Arena. That means a higher probability it’s undecided until the final match Saturday night, unlike past years when a champion had all but been determined.
Parkersburg ruled in the lower weights and opened a near 30-point lead. Then came the heavier weight classes and the Hawks ruled there, and thus moved to first with 199.5 points. The Big Reds have 193.
“Lost some we shouldn’t, others we came back,” University coach Ken Maisel said. “Kids have to do a good job tomorrow.”
University, the Region 1 winner, and Parkersburg, champ in Region 4, each have six wrestlers in Saturday’s finals.
For the Hawks, they are: Jacob Hensley, 126; Timofey Husk, 138 Nico Maisel, 144 Jason Walker, 150; Max Vitale, 157; and Maximus Fortier, 175.
“We knew it’d be close,” Maisel said. “It’ll be interesting tomorrow. I tell the guys keep it classy.”
Parkersburg’s finalists are: Aiden Linko, 106; Austin Carrodus, 113; Seth Drennen, 120; Stephen Myers, 138; Colsten Skeen, 144; and Dominic Way, 157.
“We knew coming in it would be a war,” Big Reds coach Matt Littleton said. “We had a plan. Some executed the plan, the others fell short and have to change. It’s far from over. Got six in the finals. The others have to come back strong tomorrow.”
Parkersburg has 21 state titles to its credit, but its last one was in 2008.
In Division II, Ripley took control and leads with 149.5 points. The Vikings have four wrestlers going for titles Saturday in Carter Neal, heavyweight; Lars Cooper, 138; Terry Osborne, 120; and Carter Price, 150. Cooper is a transfer from Parkersburg.
“We wrestle and have things happen you don’t expect and some surprises,” Vikings’ coach Matt Smith said. “Consistency wise, we’ve been there. Kids have worked hard. This is when you want to peak. Got a ways to go. Each guy (finalist) has a tough match. The guys in the morning have to come to wrestle.”
Herbert Hoover is second with 103.5.
Cameron leads Division 3 with 103 points.
The tournament concludes Saturday and starts with the girls state action at 8 a.m..
The boys matches begin at 10:30 a.m. Championship finals are at 6:30.