by Jamie Harris
Berkeley Springs High School sophomore Peyton Thompson was the Tribe’s lone representative this past weekend at the Class A/AA State Wrestling Championships in Huntington.
Thompson the Region I 160 pound champion going into the event looked to capture his first high school state wrestling championship and earn all-state honors.
Thursday night February 21 at the Big Sandy Superstore Arena kicked off the A/AA and AAA state wrestling championships with the round of 16 matches.
Thompson took on Jacob Williams from Nicholas County. Thompson was able to advance to Friday’s championship quarterfinals with a 12-3 major decision win.
Friday was another busy day for Thompson as the championship quarterfinals and a spot in the state semifinals was on the line.
Thompson faced off with Bridgeport’s Austin Gibson. In the first period Thompson took a 1-0 lead after two stalling calls on Gibson.
At the end of the second period the score remained 1-0 Thompson. The third period saw Gibson get an escape and in the closing seconds secured a takedown to edge the Indian sophomore 3-1.
After the devastating loss Thompson needed to regain his composure and bounce back in the consolation rounds. In the consolation blood round Thompson beat Cameron’s Colten Dobbs 7-4 to advance to the consolation quarterfinals.
Needing a win there to secure all-state honors Thompson faced Weir’s Reese Wills. At the 3:49 mark Thompson secured his first wrestling all-state honors when he pinned Wills.
In the consolation semi-finals Thompson faced Logan Southall of Point Pleasant. Once again the talented Tribe wrestler kept the pace going as he picked up a 6-4 decision to advance to the third and fourth place match.
In the consolation finals, Thompson faced Greenbrier West’s Mylik Cox. In a back and forth match Thompson was able to edge Cox 3-2 to secure a third place finish at the 2019 West Virginia State Wrestling Championships.
Thompson finished the season with an impressive 54-8 record and the future is bright for the Indian grappler.
