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University sits in second after first day of state wrestling tournament

HUNTINGTON — Opening night Thursday went about as expected for the University High wrestling team in the 75th West Virginia State High School Wrestling Tournament at Mountain Health Arena.

Hawks coach Ken Maisel saw his team win 10 of 12 first-round matches, and with bonus points, finish with 38 points to hold down second place in Class AAA.

Wheeling Park, the Region I champion, took the lead with 43 points thanks to its bonus points. The Patriots are trying to end Parkersburg South’s run as state champion at seven. Parkersburg South is third with 32 points and Spring Mills fourth with 30.

“As expected,” Maisel said. “I thought we’d go 11-2. Good round. Won the matches we were supposed to win and got bonus points.”

The downer came before the action at weigh-ins. Brodie Emery, the 106-pounder for the Hawks, did not make weight and did not compete.

“That’s the first time that’s ever happened,” Maisel said, aware not having him means lost possible points.

Winners for University were Dane Wolfe at 113, Carter Pauley at 120, Mason Pauley at 138, Luca Felix at 145, Dom Parker at 152, Dakota Hagedorn at 160, Elijah Wellings-Osha at 170, Hezekiah Taylor at 182, Brock Kehler at 195 and Colin McBee at 220.

Maisel didn’t have Pauley, Parker or Hagedorn in uniform when the Hawks competed here a little over a month ago in the WSAZ Invitational.

“They all won by pin,” Maisel said. “It’s a good start. We left a lot of points (WSAZ) at home.”

Grant Oxley at 126 and Jay McKenzie at 132 took tough losses.

“At 126, we’ve lost to that kid three times,” Maisel said. “At 132, we were overmatched, but Jay wrestled tough.”

Action resumes Friday at 11:30 a.m. with quarterfinal matches and consolation round matches. Friday night at 7:30 p.m. is the semifinal round. On Saturday, consolations start at 10:30 a.m. Championship matches are at 6 p.m. All former state champions and 2022 inductees into the West Virginia chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame are asked to meet at 5:30 p.m. at the back of the arena to join in the Parade of Champions.

“We’ll find out a lot tomorrow,” Maisel said. “We’ve got some tough matches in the early weights. Got to get an upset here or there. We could even find out who the (team) winner and losers are by tomorrow.”

At 170, Wellings-Osha won by pin at 1:39.

“My last state. I’m going to bust it,” Wellings-Osha said. “Don’t think about team scores. Do my job. Don’t get too much in my head.”

For Morgantown, Dyllan Haseleu won by pin at 2:36 over Calvin Roberts of Greenbrier East. He takes on Huntington’s Robby Martin in the quarterfinals. Garrett Spohn lost 120 and Preston Harman at 145.

Preston’s Cole Turner at 145 and Dylan Haskiell at 220 both lost.

By DAVID WALSH

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