HUNTINGTON – Day two of the 2025 WVSSAC state wrestling tournament concluded on Friday night with the defending Class AAA state champions, University High School, in control of the overall standings.
The Hawks saw nine of their 13 state qualifiers advance to the semifinals of their respective weight classes, and five of those nine advanced to the state title match. UHS sits first overall with 182.0 points, ahead of second place Parkersburg with 149.0.
Senior Pepper Martin (113), freshman Nico Maisel (132), senior Carter Pauley (144), freshman Brody Kehler (165), and senior Brock Kehler (285) all advanced for a shot at an individual state championship.
Junior Kaden Nieman (120), junior Colton Gillespie (126), sophomore Max Vitale (150), junior Emerson Murphy (175), junior Ryder Hastings (190), and senior Jackson Pate (215) will battle for a shot at third place in the consolation rounds on Saturday.
Martin, Maisel, and Brock Kehler breezed past their opponents in the semifinals to advance. Brody Kehler and Pauley’s story differed, as they both advanced to the championship match by winning their semifinal bouts by a single point.
Brody Kehler defeated defending 175-pound state champion Vance Neal of Woodrow Wilson to secure his final spot.
“How he won? Just be tough,” Maisel said. “This is hard. This is where you win.”
Preston High senior Cole Turner continued his state title chase with a 5-3 victory in the semifinals.
Action is set to begin this morning at 10:30 a.m. with the end of the consolation rounds and the beginning of the girls’ wrestling tournament, which will conclude on Saturday also.
Championship matches are set to begin this evening at 6:00 p.m.
