HUNTINGTON – Day one of the 2025 WVSSAC state wrestling tournament was held on Thursday evening inside Marshall Health Network Arena in Huntington.
University, Morgantown, and Preston each sent multiple athletes to the mat, hoping to secure a spot in Friday morning’s quarterfinals.
The defending Class AAA state champion Hawks saw 11 of their 13 wrestlers through to the next round of the winners’ bracket, giving them an early advantage in the team standings with 41.5 points. Woodrow Wilson sits second with 36 points.
Those advancing for UHS were senior Pepper Martin (113), junior Kaden Nieman (120), junior Colton Gillespie (126), freshman Nico Maisel (132), senior Carter Pauley (144), sophomore Max Vitale (150), freshman Brody Kehler (165), junior Emerson Murphy (175), junior Ryder Hastings (190), senior Jackson Pate (215), and senior Brock Kehler (285). Nine of their victories came by pinfall.
UHS freshman Austin Hummel (106) and junior Timofey Husk (138) will wrestle in the consolation rounds.
Preston sophomore Levi Jennings (126) and senior Cole Turner (175) secured a spot in the quarterfinals, with sophomore Lucas Lilly (106) and sophomore Brayden Miller heading to the consolation bracket.
Morgantown senior Carter Jones (144) was the lone Mohigan to advance to the quarterfinals, as senior Dom Smith (165), sophomore Chase Travis (215), and senior Ze’Von Shipman (285) fell to the consolation round.
Action will continue Friday at 11:30 a.m. with the quarterfinals and the first and second rounds of the consolation brackets being held.
Winners of the championship quarters will advance to the semifinals this evening at 7:30 p.m.
University sent nine wrestlers into the semifinals on Friday night, and Preston senior Cole Turner qualified for the semifinals at 175 pounds. The Hawks continued to sit atop the overall team standings through day two.
(This story will be updated)
