SPECIAL RECOGNITION — Chris Diserio, center, is the 2024 recipient of the Lifetime Service Award presented by the West Virginia Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. On hand for his induction into the hall of fame on Oct. 27 were past Lifetime Service Award recipients Mike Stalnaker, left, and Ray Marling. - Contributed

HUNTINGTON — A Wellsburg man was among seven West Virginians honored by the West Virginia Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame on Oct. 27 for their dedication to the sport in the Mountain State.

Chris Diserio was presented the chapter’s Lifetime Service Award in recognition of his 38 years as an official at numerous state, regional and local high school wrestling competitions.

Diserio officiated at the West Virginia State Wrestling Championship held in Huntington for two decades and was mat arbiter at 35 Winnner’s Choice Wrestling Championships.

He also officiated at 25 Brooke Wrestling Classics, 10 WSAZ Wrestling Tournaments, numerous OVAC Ron Mauck Wrestling Championships, two Wheeling Park Wrestling Duals and two Ohio sectional tournaments.

He was named West Virginia State Wrestling Official of the Year in 2007 and has served as president of the Central West Virginia Officials Association.

Diserio is a 1982 graduate of Brooke High School, where he wrestled under the direction of coach Merle Tournay, who he said greatly inspired his love of the sport.

He is a retired United Parcel Service employee.

Based in Stillwater, Oklahoma, the National Wrestling Hall of Fame was established to honor the sport of wrestling, recognize extraordinary individual achievements and inspire future generations to become involved in the sport.