MORGANTOWN — The University wrestling team prides itself on mental and physical toughness. To prepare the Hawks for a grueling season, head coach Ken Maisel and his staff hold “Black Flag Day” to test the grit and endurance of the young grapplers.
“It’s rough,” Maisel said. “It’s a really tough practice — physically and mentally. We’re yelling at them and coaching them hard.”
Some wrestlers say they didn’t think they could make it through. Some quit. Those that make it through learn a valuable lesson in wrestling and in life.
“When it gets down to a tough match, it will give them the mindset that ‘hey, I can do this,'” Maisel said. “I can dig deep inside of myself, give it my all, and get through this. It’s a good lesson for life that doesn’t really get taught anymore.”
The preparation and conditioning should lead to a successful season for University as it builds off a campaign that saw six wrestlers place at the state tournament. All six return for the 2021-22 season.
Luca Felix and Dom Parker were state runners-up last season and wrestle and the 145-pound and 152-pound weight class, respectively.
“They have a pretty sour taste in their mouths after coming in second place,” Maisel said. “If you think about it, there’s 14 weight classes so there’s really only 14 people that leave the state tournament happy.
“They don’t want to have that feeling again. They want to win it all and they can win it all.”
Other state placers for University were Mason Pauley (fifth), Elijah Wellings-Osha (fourth), Dakota Hagedorn (third) and Corbin Turney (fifth).
At 160 pounds, Maisel said Hagedorn “was really close to being in the state final but he came up just short and was third in the state.”
Maisel said Pauley is “making a sacrifice for the team” as he cuts weight from 145 to 138 pounds.
At heavyweight, Turney is coming into the year after an extended time on the football field as the Hawks advanced to the state quarterfinals.
“He’s transitioned well into the season and is determined to go far again,” Maisel said.
Wellings-Osha wrestled with an injured wrist for an extended period last season and still managed to earn fourth in the state. At 170 pounds and healthy this season, he is inspired to win it all, Maisel said.
All told, the Hawks have a crowded gym with more than 40 wrestlers out this season.
“We’re very dichotomous,” Maisel said. “We have some elite guys who, hopefully, will win state titles, and we have some guys who are wrestling for the first time and just learning. There’s some challenges in the room sometimes but it’s been fun so far.”
Other starting standouts include Brody Emery at 106 pounds, Dane Wolf at 113 pounds, Brendon Oxley at 126 pounds, Jack McKenzie at 132 pounds, Hezekiah Taylor at 182 pounds, Brock Kehler at 195 pounds and Colin McBee at 220 pounds.
Kehler is an incoming freshman who earned a middle school state champion.
“We knew coming into this year how great he could be and he is proving that he belongs here,” Maisel said of Kehler. “He beat two really good senior guys in New York earlier in the season while actually wrestling at 215 pounds — that’s a man’s weight class — and they were sound, solid victories. We have high expectations for him and he’s got really high expectations for himself.”
Also joining University this season is a female wrestler, Bailey Emery. Maisel said a number of girls have tried out over the years and Emery comes with a strong track record. At 108 pounds last season, she placed first overall at the girls’ middle school state championship.
“She’s good — she can wrestle,” Maisel said. “Guys and girls are equal, but they’re different. It can be tough adjusting to the strength and power, but wrestling live, she’s great. She never complains. She never asks to take a break. She’s tough. She’s a hard worker and I’m glad to have her on the team.”
On Dec. 4, the Hawks were champions at a highly regarded tournament in Amityville, N.Y. University had winners in 12 of the 13 weight classes.
Maisel called it a nice tuneup while noting the competition back home is a lot tougher. That includes other members of the Ohio Valley Athletic Conference. This week, University got a taste of that against Wheeling Park and narrowly defeated the Patriots, 34-32.
Wheeling Park and University are considered early frontrunners to win the state team title in Huntington.
“It’s a solid lineup but we need to stay healthy,” Maisel said.
He is in his 26th season coaching high school wrestling at University. His son, Nico, is currently wrestling at Mountaineer Middle.
By MATTHEW PEASLEE
