OVAC 2011 WRESTLERS OF THE YEAR
by Dr. Bill Welker
Today, I have the extreme pleasure of announcing Wheeling News-Register's 24th 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 (1984 Mr. Mat), Ron Mauck (1986 Mr. Mat), Dan Doyle (2005 Mr. Mat), and Dick Wolf for graciously volunteering to serve on this selection board. I have never worked with a more sincere and honorable group of men.
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 St. Clairsville's Dominic Prezzia and Wheeling Park's Kyle Bauer.
Dominic Prezzia
* 2011 Ohio Division III State Silver Medalist
* Three-Time Ohio All-State (4th-2009; 3rd-2010)
* Three-Time District Champion
* Four-Time Sectional Champion
* 2011 Ron Mauck OVAC Champion
* Four-Time OVAC Finalist
* Career Record: 166-14
* Senior Record: 46-1
* Grade Point Average: 3.6
* College Aspirations: Dominic received a wrestling scholarship from West Virginia University. He plans to study exercise physiology and become a physical therapist.
* Head Coach: Joel Sansone
* Assistant Coaches: Gene Monteleone, Casey Callarik, & Paul Prezzia
Kyle Bauer
* Two-Time West Virginia AAA State Champion (2010-2011)
* 2011 West Virginia AAA Outstanding Wrestler
* Four-Time West Virginia AAA Region I Champion (2008-2011)
* Four-Time West Virginia All-State Wrestler
* Two-Time Ron Mauck OVAC Champion (2010-2011)
* 2011 OVAC Bierkortte Outstanding Wrestler Award
* Four-Time Ron Mauck OVAC Placewinner
* Career Record: 150-9
* Senior Record: 27-0
* Grade Point Average: 4.0
* College Aspirations: Kyle plans to matriculate at Kent State University as an Education Major. He also plans to continue wrestling with hopes of being a National Champion.
* Head Coach: Sean Doyle
* Assistant Coaches: Jack Doyle, Steve Shaffer, Malachai Anthony, Bill Gooch, and Justin Goneau
Mat Salute
Special "kudos" are addressed to the following 2011 OVAC individual state champs:
West Virginia: David Jeffrey and Chris Smith, Parkersburg South; David Schlieper, Cameron; Jesse Schiffbauer, University; Kyle Bauer, Wheeling Park.
Coaching Honors
Congratulations to Parkersburg South's Coach Paul Jackson, his staff, and the "Patriot" wrestling team for winning the 2011 Ron Mauck OVAC Over-All Team Title and the West Virginia AAA State Championships.
Official's Corner
This year five OVAC referees were selected to officiate the West Virginia and Ohio state wrestling tournaments. They are Shane Kildow, Ray Marling, and Ken McWilliams in the Mountain State, along with former area official Chris Diserio, and Paul Coffland in the Buckeye State.
Special accolades are extended to Shane Kildow who was named the West Virginia and Barry Gashel Official of the Year.
Many congratulations are extended to all five of these fine OVAC officials.
Mat Message
"Few wishes come true by themselves."
- June Smith