Oak Glen, Weir High, Madonna have winners as A/AA begins
HUNTINGTON — Oak Glen’s Peyton Hall (138 pounds) took the first step towards his third West Virginia state wrestling championship Thursday night inside Big Sandy Superstore Arena as the 72nd- annual event wrapped up the first night of action.
Hall, a junior who has committed to West Virginia University, didn’t waste any time with 45 second pin.
He was one of four Golden Bears who advanced to today’s second round.
Shawn Moore (113 pounds), a state runner-up last year, won by pin, as did Jonathan Creese (145 pounds). Tyler O’Connor (182 pounds) won by decision.
“We had some kids wrestle hard and picked up some victories,” Oak Glen coach Patrick McGillian said.
Weir and Madonna both had a pair of winners.
The Red Riders were C.J. Helms (145 pounds) and Reese Wills (160 pounds).
“We had four kids coming into the tournament and three of them were regional third- place finishers and one was a fourth-place finisher. C.J. and Reese really wrestled well,” Weir coach Tom Taylor said.
The Blue Dons winners were the Cook brothers, Alec (145 pounds) and Garrett (220 pounds). Alec is a defending state champion while Garrett improved to 44-0.
Cameron’s Ian Bush (170 pounds) was a winner by technical fault.