Team WV Fargo Recap

[TeamWV]

Before I begin on the high school guys, I'd like to say congratulations to Brock Humphreys (Double National Champ), Ben McComas (FS AA), & Issac Martin (FS AA). We also need to recognize the other individuals that competed in Wisconsin. We usually don't send kids to Kids FS/GR Nationals, but hopefully we can grow off the accomplishments from these young men.

First, I'd like to thank all the young men that competed in Fargo for our state. They wrestled hard and were great teammates. Everyone should be proud of them. Not everyone achieved their goal, but the experience they received is what will propel them for the upcoming season. We came back with three All-American honors. Braxton Amos won JR. freestyle (1st since Mitch Smith in JR. FS) & got 2nd in JR. Greco. John Martin Best got 2nd in JR. freestyle. It was an extremely tough weight class. Brayden Roberts & John Martin Best almost placed in JR Greco. Both of them lost extremely close blood round matches. This was the first time that WV had two finalists in JR freestyle. Here is a recap on how everyone did.

16U
Gage Wright: 1-2 (FS)/3-2(GR)
Justin Bartee: 3-2 (FS)

Junior
Colton White: 1-2 (FS)/ 0-2 (GR)
John Sanders: 0-2 (FS)/ 0-2 (GR)
Ashby West: 1-2 (FS)/ 0-2 (GR)
Andrew Shelek: 1-2 (FS)
Brayden Roberts: 3-2 (FS)/ 5-2 (GR)
John Martin Best: 6-1 (FS National Runner-Up)/ 3-2 (GR)
Ty Boyd: 0-2 (FS)/ 0-2 (GR)
Braxton Amos: 6-0 (FS National Champion)/ 5-1 (GR National Runner-Up)
Austin Chapman: 2-2 (FS)/3-2 (GR)

I'd also like to thank some individuals. A big thank you to coaches John Dempsey (HHS), Brian Leggett (WPHS), & Heath Perry (CHS). They volunteered their time to help coach Team WV at Fargo this year. Thank you to Danny Irwin & Rick Welker at West Liberty University, Matt Littleton at Parkersburg High School, the staff at WVU, Ken Maisel at University High School, & Chris Freije at Fairmont State. These individuals helped with our training camps. They volunteered their time & facilities to help get the kids ready for Fargo. Also, thank you to Mike Carmen & WVYWA for their support of Team WV. Thank you to the parents of our wrestlers. They have been supportive this summer and willing to help whenever they can. We have some plans in the works to further promote freestyle & Greco-Roman even more in our state for the upcoming year.

Steve Riner
Team WV