Indian wrestlers prepping for season opener at Hedgesville

by Jamie Harris
For the first time in a long time, veteran Indian wrestling Coach Darrell Bennett (13th season) must adjust to a wrestling season not coaching his son Tory who is now a freshman wrestler at Lock Haven University.

Tory Bennett graduated from Berkeley Springs High School with three state championships and atop the West Virginia record books as the career wins leader with 218 victories.

Bennett along with CJ Gosey (Regional Champion at heavyweight) are two key losses for the Indian wrestling program for the upcoming 2012-2013 campaign.

While filling weight classes are issues right now, Berkeley Springs only has five of the 14 weight classes filled.

The Indians do have some returning starters that have a lot of experience. Seniors Matt Parkinson 48-7 last year, State Qualifier, Regional runner-up, PVC Conference Champion and Kyle Shambaugh 48-15 last year, State Qualifier, Region third, PVC Conference runner-up return at the 220 and 195 lb. weight classes respectively, while junior Billy Wilson 41-25 last year, State Qualifier, Region fourth, PVC Conference fourth will wrestle at 126 lb. weight class.

Shambaugh is currently out with an injury from football season, but should return in early January.
The Indians will also have two freshmen (132) Matt Marshall and (182/195) Bailey Fox will look to have an impact in their respective weight classes.

Coach Bennett had this to say about the upcoming wrestling season, “Like every year we will spend the regular season trying to improve and correct our mistakes, which will be getting us ready for the last two weeks in February, regional's and states.”

The Tribe will open their 2012-13 season this coming Friday and Saturday, November 30 and December 1 at the Hedgesville Duals. Then on December 7 and 8, the Indians will host the Max Horz Invitational that will have 14 teams competing in this year’s tournament.

Coach Bennett is assisted by Brian Maslowski and Tyson Bennett.