West Virginia Wrestling

Charter Communications Indian Classic

Date: 12/13/08
Location: Kingsport, TN

Team Scores
1. George Washington, WV 231.50
2. Northwest Whitfield, GA 215.00
3. Lexington, SC 211.50
4. Bob Jones, AL 184.50
5. Dobyns-Bennett, 162.00
6. North Buncombe, NC 152.00
7. Sullivan East, 151
8. Abingdon, 141.50
9. Maryville, 129.00
10. Daniel Boone, 125.00
 11. Richlands, VA 95.00
12. Morristown West, 93.00
13. West Henderson, NC 77.50
14. David Crockett 76.00
15. Tennessee High 74.00
16. Bob Jones (2), AL, 66.00
17. Elizabethton, 64.00
18. Powell Valley, VA 53.00
18. Patrick Henry, VA, 53.00
20. Northwest Whitfield (2), GA
 21. Lebanon, VA 39.00
22. West Greene, 32.00
23. Christian Academy of Knoxville, 23.00
23. Rye Cove, VA, 23.00
25. Appalachia, VA, 14.00
26. Chuckey-Doak, 10.00
27. Sullivan South, 9.00

103 Championship: Dakota Vanbibber (GW) def. Steven Steinbacher (LEX)
112 Championship: Marvin Kirk (GW) def. Trent Weatherman (NB)
119 Championship: Travis Wilson (SE) def. Brandon Harrison (WH)
125 Championship: Hampton Motley (LEX) def. Austin Mann (DB)
130 Championship: Michael Bishop (SE) def. Michael Nease (DC)
135 Championship: David Lewis (NWW) def. Timmy Rippetoe (MW)
140 Championship: John Herold (MW) def. Kenny Michael (NWW)
145 Championship: Justin Rice (NB) def. Anthony Betts (MV)
152 Championship: Blake Ridenour (MV) def. Kole Bishop (SE)
160 Championship: Ryan Shank (GW) def. Hunter Cox (AB)
171 Championship: Xavier King (TH) def. Jerrity Wright (GW)
189 Championship: Kraig Crawford (LEX) def. Zac Mitchell (AB)
215 Championship: Steven Dorrell (LEX) def. Zach Coggins (EL)
285 Championship: Spencer Feathers (Boone) def. Kaleb Arnold (SE)

Comments: Lexington's Hampton Motley was named the Most Outstanding Wrestler for the lower weight classes.

Maryville's Blake Ridenour was named the Most Outstanding Wrestler for the upper weight classes.

Northwest Whitfield was 4th last year in Georgia 4A ( 5A is the largest class) and is presently ranked 19th in the Georgia Wrestling Coaches Association All-Classes Poll, which puts them #3 in 4A.

Bob Jones was 7th in 6A in Alabama last year and returned the bulk of the team.

Lexington was 6th in last year's South Carolina 4A tournament and is ranked 4th this year.

GW spotted their main opponents a 2 weight class advantage, not taking a 135 or 140 to the tournament, plus had a reserve at 189 for the tournament due to the ACT.

The old wrestling tourament addage "win your last match" really rang true as 7 out of 10 Patriots won placing matches.

GW lead from the tourament's opening match, a pin from Dakota Vanbibber. The team lead was 1/2 point at the end of Friday and grew slowly but steadily through the day Saturday.

Unseeded Freshman Marvin Kirk scored the first big upset of the day at 112, defeating the #1 seed from Richlands, VA, in the round of 32. He rode the momentum of the win all the way to a championship.

Senior Ryan Shank became the all-time wins leader in GW history, breaking Mark Samples' record of 105 career wins, with a victory in the quarterfinals for number 106. He then dominated the #4 ranked 160 in Alabama 6A in the semifinals with a first period fall before posting a dramatic 9-7 win in the finals over the #3 ranked wrestler in Virginia 2A, Hunter Cox of Abingdon.

The facility at Dobynes-Bennett is extraordinary. Absolutely stunning. The main school gym is a domed arena seating 4400 in the upper secion, with another 1000 or so available in pull-out bleachers. Tons of weight rooms, locker rooms, coaches' offices, two wrestling rooms --- first class stuff and immaculately kept.

The D-B folks we met were really nice folks who made every effort to be hospitable. The tournament ran pretty well and they were flexible when they needed to be. For example, the wrestling was going a little long on Saturday, so they skipped a fancy walk-out of the finalists to keep the tournament moving. We were done, trophies presented and kids cleaned up and on the road by 7 or so and back in town by midnight.

GW placers
103- Dakota Van bibber -1st
112- Marvin Kirk -1st
119- Jeremy Westfall -5th
125- Zack Waker -6th
130- Ronnie Kirk -3rd
145- Alex Levitan -3rd
160- Ryan Shank -1st
171- Jerrith Witt -2nd
189- Eric Cheng -8th
285- Arnold Hauserman -3rd

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