For 1976, the state was divided into four regions. The champion and runner-up from each region qualified for the tournament. Warwood was the Region I champ and Spencer was the Region I runner-up. Warwood and Clay County of Region III each qualified 10 wrestlers. Keyser qualified 8, Big Creek 6, Buffalo Wayne and Shady Spring 5, and Petersburg, Spencer, And Greenbrier West qualified 4.
Noted in passing is the unusual occurrence of a double disqualification in the UNL semifinals. As reported by sportswriter Dave Grande of the Parkersburg News...
However, it was Double-A heavyweight match between Wheeling Central's Wayne Lichwa and Nicholas County's Leroy Hanshaw that may te most remembered when the tourney concludes this evening.
With Lichwas leading 6-1, both wrestlers were disqualified for slugging by mat referee Frank Riggs.
"Both boys were slugging out there and I went directly by the rule book on my decision. It's a flagrant misconduct call and calls for disqualification without warning. I know I was exactly right in making the call," Riggs said.
"There was no slugging out there," Wheeling Central Coach Bill Welker screamed. "This is the state tournament, give these kids a break."
After a lengthy conference with the officials, WVSSAC Executive - Secretary Sam Williams allowed the ruling to stand. The announcement of the decision did not sit favorably with the more than 1700 fans in attendance.
As a result of the double disqualification, Steve Doe of Warwood won the UNL championship without having to wrestle a match, and there was no UNL runner-up.
The AA Outstanding Wrestler award went to Robert Perry of Big Creek, who defeated defending state runners-up Dale Litten of Keyser and Randy Ash of Spencer, rallying from large deficits in both matches.
