10 wrestlers punch ticket to state tournament
Daniel Clark earns 100th career win
by Jamie Harris
The 2024 Class A/AA Region I Wrestling Championships were held at St. Mary’s High School this past weekend. With the incoming weather looking to be an issue the Berkeley Springs Indians headed out Friday afternoon to get ready for the one day event. In years past the event was always held at Fairmont Senior High School’s Armory, but Region I wanted a change and St. Mary’s jumped on the opportunity.
Going into Saturday’ s event the Indians did not have any wrestlers with the top seeds like the years past. However, in order to get the state tournament your seed didn’t matter, placing in the top four was the mission.
The grinder of the tournament started and the Indians were able to put nine wrestlers in the championship semifinals. Out of the nine only one was able to win and advance to the championship finals. Senior Brady Wilt (215) advanced to the championship finals where he lost 8-4 to Isaac Martin (Wheeling Central).
In the consolation side of the bracket, the Indians were able to get nine wrestlers through to the consolation finals which in turn earned them each a trip to the state tournament in two weeks. Finishing in third place for Berkeley Springs were Jacob Morgan (132) and Aiden Cain (150). Finishing in fourth for the Tribe were Eligah Parsell (113), Daniel Clark (126), Trent Fox (138), Will Gageby (144), Kollin Sullivan (165), Michael Holiday (175), and Remi Sites (285). Finishing in fifth place for the Indians was Krystian Norris (190).
Junior Daniel Clark (126) earned his 100th career win at the regional tournament. Clark now joins his brother Gabe Clark (former Indians wrestler) in the prestigious 100-win club.
As a team the Indians finished in third place with 181.50 points. Fairmont Sr. the defending state team champion finished in first place with 254 points, while Oak Glen was a close second with 250 points.
The 2024 Class A/AA State Wrestling Championships will be held in Huntington, on February 29- March 2.