Five teams start Park Duals a perfect 5-0
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WHEELING -- The 30th-annual Wheeling Park Duals setup shop Tuesday for a two-day stay inside WesBanco Arena. Except for Wheeling Park and John Marshall, other local schools involved are hoping for a better showing today as the event concludes with the championship bout scheduled for approximately 3:30 p.m.
Five schools, out of 32, fashioned perfect 5-0 marks on opening day as eight rounds of action were contested on 10 mats. Action gets started again at 9 a.m. today.
Head coach Brian Leggett’s Patriots were one of the unbeaten, as were Canfield, Waynedale, University and Massillon Jackson.
“It was a good day for us. We had some good matchups and I was glad to see that,” Leggett said.
“We’ve got a couple of guys missing from the lineup and it was good see some of the other guys stepping up.”
One of those performers was Zac Lydick (170) who Leggett said is “under-sized, but bumped up for us.”
The coach also cited Adam Carman (113) and Gabe Carman (160).
“This is the first time we’ve had both of them at their weight,” Leggett added. “They both looked good today.”
Another wrestler drawing praise was Noah White.
“He’s a little spitfire,” the coach said of his prized freshman who won the North Canton Holiday Invitational last week. “It’s great to have him leadoff each match for us.”
The Patriots posted wins over Musselman (65-6); Riverside (60-19); Dover (47-27); Ringgold (66-15) and Hurricane (66-12).
John Marshall went 4-1 on the day with nods over Buckeye Local (81-0), George Washington (63-12), Indian Creek (51-27) and Bethel-Tate (45-30). The Monarchs loss was to Harrison (40-23).
Cameron and Oak Glen both went 2-3, while Brooke and Indian Creek were 1-4. Buckeye Local was 0-5.
A Different Kind of Battle
Lindsay Leggett, wife of Brian, was diagnosed with cancer over the summer. She is doing well, according to her husband, but has a way to go yet.
“Wrestling is awesome. The sport has kind of been my system to help me get through this,” Leggett admitted. “I come to practice and my wrestlers are great. I also have a great coaching staff that has helped me get through this.”
He said his wife really appreciates the support, as he and his children do.
“It means to world to me and to them,” he said the show of support that he, his wife and kids have received. “To have other schools reach out and say they care is just awesome.”
During a break in the action Tuesday, JV wrestlers from Wheeling Park circulated throughout the stands and collected donations to help Lindsay and her fight.
Milestone Upcoming
With a pair of victories today, Waynedale head coach Louie Snyder will record win No. 500.