Last high school wrestling season, the Berkeley Springs Indians qualified seven wrestlers to the Class A/AA State Wrestling Championships in Huntington. Four of those seven earned all-state honors and three of the four return back to the Indians line up this winter.
Berkeley Springs enters the 2022-2023 wrestling season with one of the biggest rosters in recent memory as 27 wrestlers just completed week one of practices. The roster also includes four fe- male wrestlers, who all have picked up fast and look to compete in girl’s tournaments this season as well.
Long time teammates, and now seniors, Gabriel Clark and Isaac Harris are leading the large contingent with one common goal this season – win a state title.
Harris is a three time state place winner for the Indians finishing fourth twice (113- 2020 and 126-2021) and fifth at 145 last season. Harris comes into his final high school wrestling season with a career record of 108-23, is a three time PVC champion and a two-time Max Horz champion.
Clark was a state qualifier in 2020, second in 2021 and last season finished sixth at 170. Clark enters his final season with a career record of 99-31 and is a three time PVC champion as well. Both wrestlers are defending Region I champions.
Joining the two seniors in their quest for state gold is sophomore Evan Zombro who was state runner-up last season at 152 after an impressive freshman season.
State qualifiers Aiden Cain (sophomore), Will Gageby (junior) and Brady Wilt (junior) all return along with a majority of wrestlers who saw plenty of mat time last season.
While wrestle-offs have not happened yet, head coach Derek Hovermale and his assistants have plenty of depth in the middle of line ups. With the new changes this season in weight classes (106, 113, 120, 126, 132, 138, 144, 150, 157, 165, 175, 190, 215 and 285) the Indians will once again fill each of them which will help in tournaments and duals.
Berkeley Springs changed their schedule up this season so their grapplers will see some of the best competition and will open up on Saturday, December 3, at the Elite Opener at Washington High School in Charles Town. The Indians will host the 38th Max Horz Holiday Invitational on December 22 and 23 at this time have 26 teams participating. The Indians will host home duals on January 21 with Shippensburg, Pa., and on February 4 with South Carroll, Md.
