Grimes represents at state
Tyler Consolidated wrestler Brandon Grimes represented the Silver Knights very well at the West Virginia High School State Wrestling Tournament in Huntington over the weekend. Though the senior wrestler did not gain a place in the top six in the 171 weight class, he turned in four good performances and made his coaches and fans proud.
Grimes’ mat times at state included his first match win by a fall over Cody Stroud of Greenbrier West; second match fall to Braxton County’s Clayton Shaver; third match win over Austin McBeath of Point Pleasant; and a fall in his last match to Logan Bowie of St. Marys.
“I was very proud of Brandon,” said first year head coach Chad Snider. “He went out in every match and wrestled to his full ability. What more can you ask of someone?”
“Brandon gave 100 percent in every match I ever coached him in.”
In the team standings at the tournament, it was the Point Pleasant Big Black taking the A/AA crown this time around. The Point accumulated 170.50 team points to walk away with the championship trophy. Calhoun County took second place with 152.50 team points; Berkeley Springs placed third with 143.40; Oak Glen, fourth, with 142.50; and Roane County settled for fifth place with 102.50 points. Other local teams placing at the tournament include: Cameron, seventh; St. Marys, twelfth; Madonna, 14th; Weir, 22nd; Bishop Donahue, 24; Tyler Consolidated, 28th; and Ritchie County, 38th.
Looking back on his first season at the helm of the Silver Knight wrestling program, coach Snider said he felt fortunate to start his coaching career with the group of seniors such as he had this year: Grimes, Brody Northcraft, Nate Taylor and Andrew VanCamp.
“I wish I had more time with all of the seniors,” the coach said. “All of them have the ability athletically and intellectually to go far in life. I hope that they have learned more from wrestling, than just wrestling.”
“I hope they have learned patience in learning new things, and that they learn from mistakes. I hope that they have seen the best and understand the hard work that goes into being the best.”
“I wish them much luck in college, and if they work as hard in the real world as they did for me, these kids are going to go far.”
And next year? “The next classes have a lot to live up to,” he said. “These seniors were great.”