Bobby Dennis

Tyler Consolidated’s varsity wrestling team is keeping themselves busy these days in preparation for Regionals which is only a few weeks away.

Last week, the Knight grapplers traveled to Ohio to participate in the River Invitationals, coming away with one winner and several placers.

“The River tournament is a nice change of pace for us after OVAC’s,” said head coach of the team, Chad Snider. “It gives our guys a chance to recover and gain some confidence before Regionals in a few weeks. Most of our wrestlers were able to place, maybe as default, but everyone enjoys getting recognized for their hard work.”

“The format of the tournament is a pools type, so each wrestler faces everyone in their pool regardless of what your losses of the day. Nearing the end of the season, we need as much mat time as possible. I am starting to see some of our wrestlers develop into, themselves! It’s nice that they are gaining instincts for moves and positions.”

At River, only one Knight wrestler came home with a first place medal, that being freshman heavyweight, Austin Spencer, who has brought some attention to the heavyweight class in Tyler County this year.

Austin Spencer

Wrestling at 182 lbs., senior Dustin Tawney took second place for the Silver; third place at 126 came home with Chase Cooper; and taking fourth were Jerrod Longwell, 113; Bobby Dennis, 120; Josh Ruble, 145; and Billy Chichik, 182.

“The next few weeks will separate the men from the boys,” coach Snider said. “We are going to start turning up the intensity so we can peak by Regionals.”

On Wednesday, we will have a quad with Ritchie County, Bishop Donahue, and Weirton Madonna at home. Winning these matches are imperative for Regional seeds, so we should have some intense matches.

On Feb. 2 the Knights will travel to Wirt county to take part in the LKC tournament .

The Class A-AA Region I Regional has been scheduled for Feb. 16 at Fairmont Sr. High School. The Silver Knights will be competing with teams representing Bishop Donahue, Cameron, Clay-Battelle, East Fairmont, Fairmont Senior, Madonna, Magnolia, North Marion, Oak Glen, Ritchie County, St. Marys, Weir and Wheeling Central.

Jerrod Longwell

Nathan Eddy