WEST VIRGINIA MAT THOUGHTS
by Dr. Bill Welker
30th Annual OVAC WRESTLERS OF THE YEAR
by Dr. Bill Welker
The OVAC Wrestling Coaches Association recognizes the Ohio and West Virginia Wrestlers of the Year at the end of every mat sport season.
Dr. Bill Welker, who conceived and initiated the award in 1988, chairs a committee of five Ohio Valley wrestling dignitaries that selects the honorees. The West Virginia representatives are Bill Hinegardner and Ron Mauck. The
Ohio representatives are Dick Wolf and Dr. Dan Doyle.
Today, the committee has the extreme pleasure of announcing the 30th Annual "OVAC West Virginia and Ohio Wrestlers of the Year."
The recipients must be seniors and are chosen on the basis of personal wrestling accomplishments over their entire scholastic careers. This year's winners are Parkersburg South's Justin Allman and Shadyside's Greg Quinn.
JUSTIN ALLMAN
* Four-Time West Virginia AAA State Champion
* The 17th Four-Time State Titleist in West Virginia
History
* Four-Time Regional Champion
* 2014 Ron Mauck OVAC Champion
* Four-Time Ron Mauck OVAC Finalist
* Career Record: 149-18
* Senior Record: 28-2
* Future Plans: Justin plans to attend a technical college
* Head Coach: Shaun Smith
* Assistant Coaches: Dave Jeffrey, Dean Moore, Andy Church,
Bruce Martin, Tyler Green, David Jeffrey, John Price, and
Jeremy Layner
GREG QUINN
* Two-Time Ohio State Division III Silver Medalist (2016-
2017)
* Four-Time Ohio State Place-winner
* 2016 Ron Mauck OVAC Champion
* Four-Time Ron Mauck OVAC Place-winner
* Three-Time Ohio District Champion
* Four-Time Ohio Sectional Champion
* Career Record: 192-13
* Senior Record: 50-2
* Greg Quinn will be participating in the annual OVAC vs.
MAC All-Star Meet
* Future Plans: Greg plans to attend college and continue
his brilliant wrestling career.
* Head Coach: Sean Grinch
* Assistant Coaches: Bryan Crozier, Luke Burkhardt, and
Chase Grinch
Coaching Honors
Congratulations to Parkersburg South's Coach Shaun Smith, his staff, and the "Patriot" wrestling team for winning the 2017 Ron Mauck OVAC Tournament and the 2017 West Virginia AAA State Championship!
Official's Corner
This year four OVAC referees were selected to officiate the West Virginia State Wrestling Tournament. They are Shane Kildow, Ed "Buzz" Evans (2017 WV Wrestling Official of the Year), Ray Marling, and Ken McWilliams in the Mountain State, along with former area official Chris Diserio.
Also, two OVAC officials were selectd for states in Ohio. Jim Copney officiated at the Ohio Individual State Championships and Rich Heavilin officiated at the Ohio Dual Meet State Championships this year.
Many congratulations are extended to all seven of these fine OVAC officials.
OVAC PAST WRESTLERS OF THE YEAR
The following are the past Ohio and West Virginia recipients of the prestigious OVAC Wrestlers of the Year Award:
1988 - John Crain, Oak Glen
Rick Burlenski, Bridgeport
1989 - Dave Wood, Cameron
Dunyasha Yetts, Steubenville
1990 - Ed Neely, Weirton Madonna
Babe Sidon, Martins Ferry
1991 - Eric Potts, Cameron
Scott DeYarmon, Buckeye Local
1992 - R. C. Anderson, Cameron
John Gilbeaut, Union Local
1993 - Ryan Dudas, Cameron
Kelly Shields, Edison
1994 - Chad Burge, Cameron
Ryan Slack, Shadyside
1995 - Jason Taylor, Wheeling Park
Brian Roskovich, Bridgeport
1996 - Josh Giovengo, Bishop Donahue
Eric Anderson, Bellaire St. John's
1997 - Dewitt Stanley, Brooke
Sean Doyle, Buckeye Local
1998 - Chad Pratz, Linsly
Travis Clark, Union Local
1999 - Alex McClung, Oak Glen
Matt Salsberry, East Liverpool
2000 - Steve Ochap, Wheeling Park
Scott Roth, Martins Ferry
2001 - Eric Noel, Oak Glen
Cole Bowersock, Beaver Local
2002 - Derrick Sickles, Oak Glen
John Tierney, Martins Ferry
2003 - Phil Bliss, Brooke
David Berolino, Buckeye Local
2004 - Casey Hughes, Cameron
Koel Davia, Union Local
2005 - Dustin Richey, John Marshall
Clay Tucker, Martins Ferry
2006 - Rhett Northcraft, Oak Glen
Willie Saxton, Buckeye Local
2007 - Ronnell Green, Wheeling Park
James Myers, Indian Creek
2008 - Zach Basich, Wheeling Central
Bryan Skoff, Bridgeport
2009 - Dirk Bauer, Wheeling Park
Robbie Chilson, Bellaire
2010 - Max Nogay, Weirton Madonna
Dylan Ice, Beaver Local
2011 - Kyle Bauer, Wheeling Park
Dominic Prezzia, St. Clairsville
2012 - David Jeffrey, Parkersburg South
Jeremy Border, Caldwell
2013 - Lance Hill, Parkersburg South
Alex Quinn, Shadyside
2014 - Jonny Davis, Wheeling Park
Kameron Rayner, Caldwell
2015 - Dallas Baciak, Wheeling Park
Seth Bloor, Wellsville
2016 - Isaiah Myers, Wheeling Park
Tariq Wilson, Steubenville
2017 - Justin Allman, Parkersburg South
Greg Quinn, Shadyside
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