Top West Virginia Seniors, Juniors, Sophomores, Freshmen: 2008-09

This page reviews the 2008-09 West Virginia State High School Wrestling Tournament and includes those 2008-09 seniors and juniors who placed in the top three, sophomores who placed in the top five, and freshmen who placed in the top six. A few additional stats and comments are added to allow you to draw your own conclusions.

Attention wrestlers and coaches: If you have other "credentials" to add to your listing here (a good finish in other major tournaments, statistics, etc) let us know and we can update your stats!

This year 18 seniors placed in the top three at the AAA state tournament:

• Dirk Bauer, Wheeling Park: champion 119 (40-3); champion 103 (42-4) as a junior; champion AA/A 103 (44-0) as a sophomore; 8th 2006 NHSCA Open, Virginia Beach; Champion 119 NHSCA Open 2008.
• Mason Bailey, East Fairmont: champion 171 (51-1); champion 160 (31-2) as a junior; runner-up 145 (49-2) as a sophomore; fifth 130 (46-11) as a freshman; fourth NHSCA Sophomore Nationals 2007; fourth NHSCA Junior Nationals 2008;
• Eric Morris, East Fairmont: champion 160 (38-4); champion 152 (50-4) as a junior; fifth 140 (44-7) as a sophomore; runner-up 119 (46-11) as a freshman.
• Josh Kay, Capital: champion 215 (49-1); fifth 215 as a junior (48-6); fifth 215 as a sophomore (36-10).
• Jacob Dempsey, Huntington: champion 189 (41-4); fifth 189 as a junior (35-7).
• Adam Metz, Parkersburg South: champion 125 (37-13).
• Gabe Hardiman, Cabell Midland: champion 285 (36-6);
• Nick Taylor, Wheeling Park: runner-up 130 (34-12); champion 125 (38-12) as a junior; runner-up 103 (34-12) as a freshman; fourth NHSCA Open fourth 130 2008.
• Billy Forquer, Hedgesville: runner-up 160 (32-7); runner-up 152 as a sophomore (50-10); sixth 152 as a freshman (42-18).
• Ronnie Luther, Huntington: runner-up 125 (29-12); third 112 (35-6) as a junior; fourth 103 (44-6) as a sophomore; fifth 103 (32-12) as a freshman.
• Andy Church, Parkersburg South: runner-up 152 (46-6); third 145 (37-3); fourth 135 (31-15) as a sophomore; sixth 125 (37-18) as a freshman; fifth NHSCA Open 145 2008.
• Victor Panico, University: runner-up 140 (32-6); third 135 as a junior(35-8).
• Danny Doyle, Wheeling Park: runner-up 171 (38-6); fourth 171 as a junior (43-15).
• Jesse Sigman, Winfield: runner-up 285 (46-8);
• Danny Fordyce, Parkersburg South: runner-up 145 (32-11).
• Jared Weatherholtz, Musselman: third 189 (31-4); runner-up 189 (42-4) as a junior; fifth 171 (35-9) as a freshman.
• Nathan Turner, University: third 152 (35-5); fifth 152 as a junior (17-11); 4th NHSCA National Open 152 2009.

This year 15 seniors placed in the top three at the AA/A state tournament:

• Cameron Gallaher, Grafton: champion 189 (44-0); champion 171 (35-0) as a junior; champion 152 (50-0) as a sophomore; third 125 (46-3) as a freshman.
• John King, Philip Barbour: champion 135 (49-1); champion 135 (37-1) as a junior; runner-up 135 (23-1) as a sophomore; sixth 135 (34-9) as a freshman.
• Derek Mitchell, Point Pleasant: champion 171 (36-4); runner-up 171 (46-8) as a junior; fifth 135 as a freshman (37-14).
• Alec Peer, Frankfort: champion 125 (57-4); champion 112 (40-3) as a sophomore.
• Cullen Grover, Tyler Consolidated: champion 215 (30-5); fourth 189 as a junior (29-11);
• Jake Justice, Independence; runner-up 171 (43-1); third 152 (57-2) as a junior; champion 145 (49-2) as a sophomore; fourth 119 (43-7) as a freshman.
• Justin Fisher, Roane County: runner-up 119 (42-6); fourth 103 (44-6) as a freshman.
• Brian Gray, Greenbrier West: runner-up 152 (26-2); fourth 145 (43-10) as a junior;
• Zac Montero, Oak Glen: runner-up 189 (28-6); fifth 189 (22-18) as a junior.
• A.J. Rhodes, Oak Glen: runner-up 145 (30-9);
• Phillip Allen, Point Pleasant: third 125 (42-3); fourth 119 (45-5) as a junior; fourth 112 as a sophomore (40-15).
• Derrick Rovira, Weir: third 215 (36-5); third 215 (23-11) as a junior.
• Dustin Kimble, Petersburg: third 119 (50-6);
• Roger Ryan, Frankfort: third 171 (55-9).
• Luke Ozalas, Herbert Hoover: third 285 (43-5);

This year 14 juniors placed in the top three at the AAA state tournament:

• Tyler Green, Parkersburg South: champion 140 (44-7); runner-up 119 (28-9) as a sophomore; runner-up 103 (35-8) as a freshman.
• Evan Thompson, Cabell Midland: champion 152 (42-1); fifth 130 (45-5) as a sophomore; fifth 119 (41-12) as a freshman.
• Dylan Nick, Jefferson: runner-up 189 (51-6); champion 171 (40-5) as a sophomore.
• Kyle Bratke, Parkersburg: runner-up 119 (32-3); runner-up 103 (40-8) as a sophomore; sixth 112 (30-14) as a freshman.
• Bo Cooper, Parkersburg South: runner-up 135 (38-12); fourth 130 (38-13) as a sophomore.
• Derek Merrit, Lewis County: runner-up 215 (48-6).
• Hunter Wood, East Fairmont: third 125 (42-7); champion 112 (42-3) as a sophomore; runner-up 112 (36-15) as a freshman.
• Sam Dunbar, Nitro: third 130 (38-9); fourth 125 (41-16) as a sophomore.
• Marcus George, Wheeling Park: third 145 (36-10); fifth 145 as a freshman (19-19).
• Chad Efaw, North Marion: third 135 (37-8); sixth 130 as a sophomore (37-13)
• Tyler White, Ripley: third 103 (41-10).
• Dane Niday, Spring Valley: third 140 (38-8).
• Bodie Grass, Cabell Midland: third 215 (37-6).
• Zach Kimmins, Wheeling Park: third 285 (26-18).
• Isaac Morgan, Fairmont Senior: third 171 (33-11); 5th NHSCA National Open 2009.

This year 14 juniors placed in the top three at the AA/A state tournament:

• Max Nogay, Madonna: champion 160 (14-3); runner-up 145 (36-9) as a sophomore; fourth 135 (29-10) as a freshman.
• Tevin Hall, Cameron: champion 130 (40-3); runner-up 125 (13-4) as a sophomore.
• Derek Hovermale, Berkeley Springs: runner-up 125 (44-9); third 112 (44-4) as a sophomore; runner-up 103 (43-4) as a freshman.
• Jacob Milam, Liberty Raleigh: runner-up 130 (40-5); fourth 130 (42-7) as a junior; sixth 125 (38-13) as a freshman.
• Joel Paolo, Oak Glen: runner-up 135 (36-2); fifth 135 (38-9) as a sophomore; fifth 125 (34-13) as a freshman.
• Drew Smith, Wirt County: runner-up 112 (35-8); fifth 103 as a freshman (42-5).
• Nate Taylor, Tyler Consolidated: runner-up 140 (30-9).
• Beau Bartlett, Grafton: runner-up 160 (41-3);
• Zac Acord, Liberty Raleigh: runner-up 285 (46-5).
• Cody Clark, Calhoun County: third 130 (37-5); champion 130 (43-2) as a sophomore; champion 119 (38-4) as a freshman.
• Sonny Harrah, Shady Spring: third 135 (29-4); fifth 130 (37-8) as a sophomore; champion 125 (30-8) as a freshman.
• Tyler George, Williamstown: third 140 (52-6); sixth 130 (40-8) as a sophomore; fifth 119 (37-10) as a freshman.
• Paul Blake, Cameron: third 145 (34-7); fifth 140 (28-13) as a sophomore.
• Mark Board, Williamstown: third 152 (49-8); fifth 152 (42-17) as a sophomore.

This year 8 sophomores placed in the top five at the AAA state tournament:

• Justin Riggs, Huntington: champion 103 (38-6); fourth 103 (31-10) as a freshman.
• Jesse Schiffbauer, University: runner-up 112 (32-3); third 103 (35-4) as a freshman.
• Dakota VanBibber, George Washington: runner-up 103 (34-4); sixth 103 (25-21) as a freshman.
• Chris Smith, Parkersburg South: third 160 (42-9); fourth 152 (34-15) as a freshman; fourth NHSCA Freshman Nationals 2008;
• Matt Dunbar, Nitro: third 112 (42-3); fourth 112 (40-14 as a freshman.
• Tyler Tennant, North Marion: fourth 119 (31-12).
• Lucas Doss, Cabell Midland: fourth 160 (38-17).
• Ryan Hinerman, North Marion: fifth 125 (35-5); sixth 119 (38-11) as a freshman; sixth NHSCA Open 130 2008; 3rd NHSCA Open 135 2009.

This year 15 sophomores placed in the top five at the AA/A state tournament:

• Joshua Fisher, Roane County: champion 112 (45-0); champion 103 (46-0) as a freshman; fifth NHSCA Freshman Nationals, third NHSCA National Open 2008; Champ NHSCA Sophomore Nationals (All-American).
• Rusty Maness, Point Pleasant: champion 119 (38-1); champion 112 (49-3) as a freshman; Champ NHSCA Sophomore Nationals (All-American).
• Ben Laughlin, Calhoun County: champion 145 (33-0); runner-up 135 (38-4) as a freshman; sixth NHSCA Freshman Nationals 2008.
• Casey Hogg, Point Pleasant: champion 285 (43-3); sixth 215 (40-20) as a freshman; Third NHSCA Sophomore Nationals (All-American).
• Damen Capper, Berkeley Springs: champion 140 (49-2).
• Tanner Whyte, Cameron: champion 152 (35-6).
• Patrick Nary, Herbert Hoover: runner-up 215 (39-7); fifth 215 (37-3) as a freshman.
• Kyle Bauer, Wheeling Central: third 112 (44-2); runner-up 103 (40-3) as a freshman; 2nd NHSCA Open 112 2008; Seventh NHSCA Sophomore Nationals (All-American).
• C.D. Cox, St Marys: third 189 (21-3); fourth 215 (29-13) as a freshman.
• Cody Kelley, Williamstown: third 103 (43-12).
• Chuck Lynch, Sissonville: fourth 189 (35-11).
• Caden Arnold, Calhoun County: fifth 171 (31-12); sixth 160 (34-19) as a freshman.
• Cohen Hovermale, Berkeley Springs: fifth 103 (45-13).
• Chris Setliff, Shady Spring: fifth 140 (45-10).
• Chase Coffman, Sissonville: fifth 285 (25-13).

This year 10 freshmen placed in the top six at the AAA state tournament:

• David Jeffery, Parkersburg South: champion 112 (50-2); Sixth NHSCA Freshman Nationals (All-American).
• Corey Ratliff, Ripley: champion 130 (41-8).
• Elijah Hull, Lewis County: champion 135 (48-5).
• Adam Bicak, Ripley: champion 145 (41-8); third NHSCA Freshman Nationals (All-American).
• Caleb Norman, Parkersburg South: third 119 (35-14).
• Jake Fordyce, Parkersburg South: fourth 103 (39-10).
• Alex Levitan, George Washington: fourth 140 (30-12).
• Isaiah Moore, Buckhannon Upshur: fifth 103 44-10.
• Jarred Burdette, Ripley: fifth 112 (31-24).
• Dakota Montgomery, Lewis County: sixth 125 (33-17).

This year 5 freshmen placed in the top six at the AA/A state tournament:

• Dylan Cottrell, Roane County: champion 103 (48-1); Third NHSCA Freshman Nationals (All-American).
• Tommy Dodd, Liberty Harrison: runner-up 103 (40-3).
• Tory Bennett, Berkeley Springs: third 160 (54-4); Champ NHSCA Freshman Nationals (All-American);
• Cody Churchill, Oak Glen: fifth 130 (25-14).
• Josh Hereford, Point Pleasant: sixth 135 (30-13).

• Drew Jenkins, East Fairmont: fourth 135 (42-6); champion 130 (52-2) as a junior; runner-up 125 (45-5) as a sophomore; runner-up 112 (44-8) as a freshman.
• Mason Bailey, East Fairmont: champion 171 (51-1); champion 160 (31-2) as a junior; runner-up 145 (49-2) as a sophomore; fifth 130 (46-11) as a freshman; fourth NHSCA Sophomore Nationals 2007; fourth NHSCA Junior Nationals 2008;
• Eric Morris, East Fairmont: champion 160 (38-4); champion 152 (50-4) as a junior; fifth 140 (44-7) as a sophomore; runner-up 119 (46-11) as a freshman.
• Ronnie Luther, Huntington: runner-up 125 (29-12); third 112 (35-6) as a junior; fourth 103 (44-6) as a sophomore; fifth 103 (32-12) as a freshman.
• Andy Church, Parkersburg South: runner-up 152 (46-6); third 145 (37-3); fourth 135 (31-15) as a sophomore; sixth 125 (37-18) as a freshman; fifth NHSCA Open 145 2008.
• Ryan Asbury, Oak Glen: fifth 125 (34-5); champion 125 (26-8) as a junior; third 103 (35-10) as a sophomore; third 103 (35-10) as a freshman.
• Cameron Gallaher, Grafton: champion 189 (44-0); champion 171 (35-0) as a junior; champion 152 (50-0) as a sophomore; third 125 (46-3) as a freshman.
• John King, Philip Barbour: champion 135 (49-1); champion 135 (37-1) as a junior; runner-up 135 (23-1) as a sophomore; sixth 135 (34-9) as a freshman.
• Jake Justice, Independence; runner-up 171 (43-1); third 152 (57-2) as a junior; champion 145 (49-2) as a sophomore; fourth 119 (43-7) as a freshman.

Looking to defend or reclaim state championships in 2010

• Tyler Green, Parkersburg South: AAA 140
• Evan Thompson, Cabell Midland: AAA 152
• Dylan Nick, Jefferson: AAA 189
• Hunter Wood, East Fairmont: AAA 125
• Max Nogay, Madonna: AA/A 160
• Tevin Hall, Cameron: AA/A 130 (40-3)
• Cody Clark, Calhoun County: AA/A 130
• Sonny Harrah, Shady Spring: AA/A 135

• Justin Riggs, Huntington: AAA 103
• Joshua Fisher, Roane County: 112
• Rusty Maness, Point Pleasant: 119
• Ben Laughlin, Calhoun County: 145
• Casey Hogg, Point Pleasant: 285
• Damen Capper, Berkeley Springs: 140
• Tanner Whyte, Cameron: 152

• David Jeffery, Parkersburg South: 112
• Corey Ratliff, Ripley: 130
• Elijah Hull, Lewis County: 135
• Adam Bicak, Ripley: 145
• Dylan Cottrell, Roane County: 103

Looking to become a four-time state champion

• Joshua Fisher, Roane County: champion 112 as a sophomore; champion 103 as a freshman
• Rusty Maness, Point Pleasant: champion 119 as a sophomore; champion 112 as a freshman
• David Jeffery, Parkersburg South: champion 112 as a freshman
• Corey Ratliff, Ripley: champion 130 as a freshman
• Elijah Hull, Lewis County: champion as a freshman
• Adam Bicak, Ripley: champion 145 as a freshman
• Dylan Cottrell, Roane County: champion 103 as a freshman

Looking to become four-time state placewinners

• Tyler Green, Parkersburg South
• Hunter Wood, East Fairmont
• Luke Parsons, Ripley
• Evan Thompson, Cabell Midland
• Chad Morrison, Parkersburg High
• Kyle Bratke, Parkersburg
• Cody Clark, Calhoun County
• Sonny Harrah, Shady Spring
• Derek Hovermale, Berkeley Springs
• Max Nogay, Madonna
• Tyler George, Williamstown
• Joel Paolo, Oak Glen
• Jacob Milam, Liberty Raleigh

• Jesse Schiffbauer, University
• Justin Riggs, Huntington
• Chris Smith, Parkersburg South
• Matt Dunbar, Nitro
• Dakota VanBibber, George Washington
• Ryan Hinerman, North Marion
• Joshua Fisher, Roane County
• Rusty Maness, Point Pleasant
• Ben Laughlin, Calhoun County
• C.D. Cox, St Marys
• David Schlieper, Cameron
• Patrick Nary, Herbert Hoover
• Casey Hogg, Point Pleasant
• Caden Arnold, Calhoun County

• David Jeffery, Parkersburg South
• Corey Ratliff, Ripley
• Elijah Hull, Lewis County
• Adam Bicak, Ripley
• Caleb Norman, Parkersburg South
• Jake Fordyce, Parkersburg South
• Alex Levitan, George Washington
• Isaiah Moore, Buckhannon Upshur
• Jarred Burdette, Ripley
• Dakota Montgomery, Lewis County
• Dylan Cottrell, Roane County
• Tommy Dodd, Liberty Harrison
• Tory Bennett, Berkeley Springs
• Cody Churchill, Oak Glen
• Josh Hereford, Point Pleasant

Updated March 3, 2009