MORGANTOWN – The defending state champion University High School wrestling team hosted the Class AAA Region I tournament on Saturday on Baker’s Ridge.
Teams and wrestlers gathered, hoping to be among the top four finishers in their respective weight classes, earning them qualification for the WVSSAC state wrestling tournament next week.
The Hawks took first place overall, with seven wrestlers crowned Region I champions and 13 state qualifiers.
“We are thrilled to be sending 13 wrestlers to the state tournament,” UHS head coach Ken Maisel said. “It was a good tournament for us on Saturday. We talked about it at practice that nobody really overachieved or underachieved, but we did what we were supposed to do.”
UHS regional champions were Pepper Martin (113), Colton Gillespie (126), Nico Maisel (132), Carter Pauley (144), Brody Kehler (165), Emerson Murphy (175), and Brock Kehler (285).
Brody Kehler and Maisel, both freshmen, have proved to be key for the Hawks this season. Kehler brings an impressive 37-4 record into the state tournament, with Maisel holding a 33-11 record this season.
“For us, we aren’t super surprised with how those guys have performed because we’ve seen how they’ve grown and even finished their middle school season off last year,” Coach Maisel said. “Even Emerson Murphy, who isn’t a freshman but who has consistently done what he needs to do to get better, and he made a big jump from last season to this one, and honestly, he could make another jump into next season as well.”
Kaden Nieman (120) and Max Vitale (150) finished as runner-ups in Region I. Timofey Husk (138), Ryder Hastings (190), and Jackson Pate (215) each secured a state tournament spot with third place in Region I. Austin Hummel (106) rounded out the 13 UHS qualifiers.
Preston High School qualified four wrestlers from Region I: Lucas Lilly (106, 3rd place), Levi Jennings (126, 3rd place), Brayden Miller (157, 4th place), and Cole Turner (175, 2nd place).
Morgantown High School will also have four competitors in Huntington as Carter Jones (144), Dom Smith (165), Chase Travis (215), and Ze’Von Shipman (285) each secured a top-four finish for Region I on Saturday.
The WVSSAC state wrestling tournament will be held March 6 through 8 at Marshall Health Network Arena in Huntington.
