West Holmes wrestling places third at Berkshire Battle for the Belt

With 12 wrestlers earning a top-eight finish at the Berkshire Battle for the Belt Jan. 17 at Berkshire High School, the West Holmes varsity wrestling team scored a third-place finish in the 20-team tournament.

Six Knights — Wyatt Crabb (junior, 106 pounds, 3-2, two falls), Liam Angle (sophomore, 120, 3-2, three), Gabe Umstead (senior, 132, 4-1, one), Lincoln Goans (junior, 175, 4-1, three), Camden McCluggage (senior, 190, 4-1, two) and Easton Ross (sophomore, 215, 4-1, three) — earned third-place finishes. Snaring fifth-place honors were Oliver Hiller (sophomore, 144, 3-1), Noah Grassbaugh (sophomore, 150, 3-2, three) and Dylan Sours (senior, heavyweight, 3-2, three). Finnigan McClintock (freshman, 165, 3-2, three) finished sixth while Oliver Roberts (sophomore, 138, 2-3, two) and Logan Leyda (freshman, 157) placed seventh.

“I’m pretty proud of how we competed today,” said Knights coach Scott Vaughn. “Each one of the guys battled today. Placing 12 of 13 guys was great, especially going 11-1 in the final round. I always like seeing a good overall record in the final round of the tournament. That shows that they are engaged, in shape and taking care of themselves throughout the tournament. Finishing the tournament strong also proves how much these guys like to compete. They aren't just happy to place. They want to win every match.”

Junior varsity

West Holmes entered six wrestlers in the Northridge Varsity Invitational Tournament Jan. 17 at Northridge High School and came away with three of those wrestlers earning top-six finishes.

Sophomore Wade Miller (157, 4-1, two) placed fifth while classmates Ashton Cornwell (106, 2-2, one) and Calvin Pendlebury (132, 2-3) both came home with sixth-place finishes.

“The team wrestled pretty tough today,” said Knights assistant coach Tyler Masters. “The boys went out looking to score points even when competing against quality wrestlers at a varsity tournament.”

Middle school

West Holmes earned a fifth-place team finish by placing 13 wrestlers on the podium at the West Holmes Middle School Invitational Tournament inside The Dungeon at West Holmes High School Jan. 17.

Leading the way for the Knights was Rowand Mathie (eighth grade, 104), who posted a 4-0 record with two fall wins on his way to the championship.

Third-place honors went to Mason Dye (seventh, 92, 3-1, two) and Kolston Wagers (seventh, 205, 2-1, two). Clint Burgett (eighth, 128, 1-2, one) and Bryson Snyder (eighth, heavyweight, 2-2, one) placed fourth, as did Josie Hoover (seventh, 1-3), who competed in an extra 104-pound class that was added to the tournament due to the large number of wrestlers at the weight.

Finishing fifth were Gavin Hoover (eighth, 134, 3-1, two) and Hudson Ross (seventh, 150, 4-1, three) while Weston Rogers (eighth, 104 extra, 3-2, three), Rorick Taggart (eighth, 110, 3-2, two), Jake Lennington (eighth, 142, 2-2, two), Jett Justice (eighth, 172, 2-2, one) and Ryker Stokovich (seventh, heavyweight extra, 2-2, two) all placed sixth.

“I knew coming into this tournament that we were going to have a hard time winning it with the conditions being what they were,” said Knights coach Justin Wilcox. “We have been battling a lot of sickness this week. I believe we had five kids out of the tournament, three of which were starters. Another third of the kids were just getting over it. The last third of the kids were just starting to get it. To be frank, I was proud of them for just getting through practice this week and putting themselves in a position where they would be allowed to compete. For a lot of them, that was a major battle in and of itself. 

"I told them that no one — staff, coaches, parents — really had expectations for them other than to go out and give their best effort. Don't worry about the wins and losses, the medals and brackets. Just go out there, try and have some fun and put on a good show for the folks at home. I think the team seized the opportunity and made the most of it.”

Attack Team

A contingent of 15 wrestlers from the Holmes Area Wrestling Club Elementary Attack Team competed at the Ohio Athletic Committee Youth State Tournament Zanesville District Qualifier Jan. 18 at Maysville High School.

Needing to place in the top four of their weight class to earn a berth in the state tournament, sixth graders Dawson Miller (Division IV, 80, 3-2, one fall), Chansen Hart (Div. IV, 110, 3-2, two) and Fletcher Hawkins (Div. IV, 120, 3-2, two) came up one spot shy, placing fifth. All three earned state alternate status for the OAC Youth State Tournament in late March. 

Nash Conkle (second, Div. II, 61, 2-3) placed sixth, making him a second state alternate designee.