WEST VIRGINIA MAT THOUGHTS
by Dr. Bill Welker
Today I have the extreme pleasure of announcing Mat Talk's 18th annual OVAC Ohio and West Virginia Wrestlers of the Year.
The honorees are determined by a committee of five Ohio Valley wrestling enthusiasts, which includes and is chaired by yours truly.
As always, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Bill Hinegardner (Mr. Mat 1984), Ron Mauck (Mr. Mat 1986), Dave Kovalick (Mr. Mat 1988) and Dick Wolfe (OVAC souvenir program coordinator) for graciously volunteering to serve on this selection board.
I have never worked with a more sincere and honorable group of men.
Recipients must be seniors and are chosen on the basis of personal wrestling accomplishments over the course of their entire scholastic careers.
This year's winners are Martins Ferry's Clay Tucker and John Marshall's Dustin Richey.
Clay Tucker
-
2004 Ohio State Champion
- Four-time OVAC Champion (5th ever)
- Four-time All-State wrestler
- Four-time Barnesville Invitational Champion
- Four-time Sectional Tournament Champion
- Four-time District Champion
- Three-time St John's Invitational Champion
- Three-time Buckeye Local Tournament Champion
- Watkins Memorial Champion two times
- Career record: 164-11
- Senior record: 38-4
- GPA: 3.0
- Head Coach: Babe Sidon
Dustin Richey
- Three-time West Virginia State Champion (first ever at John Marshall)
- 2005 OVAC Champion
- Two-time OVAC Tournament runner-up (2003-04)
- 2005 Regional champion
- Three-time Barnesville Invitational Champion
- 2004 Barnesville Invitational Outstanding Wrestler
- Never placed lower than runner-up in High School
- Two-time Meadowbrook Duals Champion
- Undefeated in the 2004 Wheeling Park Duals
- The second John Marshall wrestler to win 114 matches
- Career record: 114-10
- Senior record: 43-1
- GPA: 3.0
- Head Coach: Ed West
Special accolades are addressed to the following individuals who brought 2005 state championships home to the OVAC:
West Virginia: Ronnell Green, Ron Green, and Kevin Staub - Wheeling Park
Dustin Richey, John Marshall; Tim Cumpston and Jeff Compston, Cameron;
Jessie Mahan, Rhett Northcraft, Chris Stevens, and Cody Potts, Oak Glen.
Special Recognition
Congratulations are once again forwarded to Oak Glen wrestlers, Larry Shaw, and his coaching staff in winning their unprecedented ninth consecutive WV Class AA/A State Championship.
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