Ten Eagles qualify for state tournament in March
For the sixth consecutive year, Braxton’s wrestling team won the Region 2 wrestling tournament The Eagles have 14 regional championships overall.
Second in Friday’s and Saturday’s tournament was Clay. Roane placed third.
In the ten Braxton qualifiers are five regional champs. They include Braden Helmick at 113, Blayne Jarvis 138, Jackson Davis 160, Colton Moore 195, and Ryder McLaughlin 285. Both Jarvis and Moore placed in the state tournament last year, Jarvis in fourth and Moore in fifth.
Braxton’s runners-up were Bryce Leegan at 182 and Justin Bishop at 220. Third place qualifers were Antony Currence 126, Logan Bennett 152, and Bryson Spell 170. Bennett placed sixth in last year’s states.
Asked to speculate on how well his team will do in the state competition, coach Sterling Beane explained, “It’s hard to predict much about the state tournament because there are so many things that can influence a match. One wrestler may have a really good match which allows him to move on. Also, match-ups will always be a big influence.”
The tournament, the75th West Virginia High School State Wrestling tournament is set for March for Marc 3, 4, 5 in Huntington. Before the finals, former state champions will be introduced.