WELLSBURG — During Chase Kinemond’s high school wrestling career at Shadyside, the Tigers built quite a tradition of winning championships, be it the OVAC Ron Mauck Class 1A/2A title or the OVAC Class 2A Dual Meet title.

Now, the former Tigers three-sport standout is leading his alma mater in re-storing the roar on the mats in Tiger Town.

Friday night inside the spacious Brooke County Wellness Center at Brooke High School, Shadyside defeated Toronto (41-36) and Caldwell (54-23) for their third OVAC Bill Hinegardner Class 1A/2A Dual Meet Championship in the last four years.

When asked what has been the key, Kinemond didn’t hesitate in replying, “Getting kids out of the hallways, dragging them into the wrestling room,” he said with a smile. “I’ve got two kids that came out about two weeks into the season. I saw them in the stands during our first dual. I asked them to come out and they did.”

“Once you get the room filled, you’ve got to develop the kids and we, as a coaching staff, have been to do that.”

The ‘small school’ event, which was delayed two days due to inclement weather, was broken down into three separate duals as No. 1 seed Cameron had to withdraw due to a prior commitment. Caldwell was No. 2, with Shadyside No. 3 and Toronto fourth.

“The kids wrestled really well. I’m proud of them,” Kinemond said.

In the Toronto match, Shadyside built a 41-0 lead on the strength of pins by Rylan Jack (126), Josiah Green (132), Jaxon Trigg (144) and Eli Gallaher (150), and a trio of forfeits. However, the Red Knights stormed back by capturing the final six bouts – five by pins – to close to within 41-36.

Winning by falls for Toronto were Caden McGrath (157), Drake Bouscher (165), Christian Briggs (190), Brandon Hoge (215) and Heath Thomas (285).

Against Caldwell, the Tigers sprinted to a 36-6 advantage before watching the Redskins pull to within 36-23. However, three forfeits to end the dual sealed the deal.

Jack (126) and Jaxon Trigg (138) were the only Shadyside wrestlers to win – both by pins – in matches contested, while Levi Green (106), Treyton Heitz (113), Josiah Green (132) and Jaycob Trigg (144) all were awarded forfeits.

Kinemond admitted that this title feels a little sweeter than the previous two.

“I get to send my only senior – Eli Gallaher – out with three titles,” he noted. “I’m also excited that I get to do this again with this group next year.”

Toronto defeated Caldwell 35-30 in the other tri.