West Virginia Wrestling

WEST VIRGINIA MAT THOUGHTS

by Dr. Bill Welker
National Wrestling Hall of Famer

Park Duals


You don't want to miss the 19th edition of the Wheeling Park Duals this year because it will be the best ever. Allow me to explain.

First and foremost, the dual-meet event could be the largest of its kind in the country. I do not know anywhere else around the nation that has 40 teams vying for a dual-meet crown in a non-state championship competition over a two-day period. But it even gets better.

The Park Duals will be held this Tuesday, December 29th and Wednesday, December 30th at the WesBanco Arena.

Steve Shaffer, founder and tournament director of the competition, is elated with the new location. He states, "This is an outstanding improvement for the fans because they will be able to witness each and every dual meet. There's not a bad seat in the house."

It's also great for the City of Wheeling. Visiting teams and spectators will have the opportunity to enjoy the hospitality they will experience at local hotels, restaurants, shops, etc. It's a "win-win" situation for all involved.

Now let's look at the particulars of the Park Duals.

This year's event will include teams from five states: Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia. Local OVAC schools include Bellaire, Brooke, Buckeye Local, Cambridge, Indian Creek, John Marshall, Martins Ferry, Parkersburg South, Shadyside, Steubenville, and Wheeling Park.

Both days the Arena doors will open to the spectators at 7:30 a.m., and the competition will start promptly at 9:00 a.m. Furthermore, Rich McCardle, assistant director of the Duals, emphasizes that "Each round will last no longer than one and a half hours, allowing the action to move without delays . . . keeping fan enthusiasm at a premium."

Wheeling Park athletic director and assistant principal, Dwaine Rodgers, is very enthralled about the event and states that "the Park Duals will now not only become a mat sport spectacle for area wrestling fans, but it will also spotlight the many amenities of downtown Wheeling."

Rodgers also said, "We are so fortunate to have the services of WesBanco Manager Dennis Magruder. He has been so supportive and feels the Duals will further promote the sport of scholastic wrestling . . . and its participants . . . in the Ohio Valley."

Yours truly will again serve as tournament interpreter, but it's an easy job for me because Wheeling Park always hires the best officials. They include Woody Burns, Paul Coffman, Larry Deaton, Chris Diserio, Ed "Buzz" Evans, David Gray, Rich Heavelin, John Jefferis, Heath Jenkins, Shane Kildow, Ray Marling, Ken McWilliams, Mike Miller, Mike Morton, Tim Nay, Darius Savage, Mike Stalnaker, and Rick Welker. In fact, nearly half of this year's referees have officiated states in Ohio and West Virginia.

Folks, if you love the mat sport like I do and want to observe some of the best wrestling in the Mountain State, don't miss the action at this week's 19th Annual Park Duals.

Team Scoring in Tournaments

The chart for team scoring at tournaments is as follows:

Advancement Points
2 points - Championship Bracket (Regular Decision)
1 point - Consolation Bracket (Regular Decision)

1 point - Major Decision
1 1/2 points - Technical Fall
2 points - Fall, Default, Forfeit, or Disqualification

Bye followed with a Win
      2 points - Championship Bracket
      1 point - Consolation Bracket

Place Winner Points with Tournaments having Four Places
14 points - First Place
10 points - Second Place
7 points - Third Place
4 points - Fourth Place

Place Winner Points with Tournaments having Six Places
16 points - First Place
12 points - Second Place
9 points - Third Place
7 points - Fourth Place
5 points - Fifth Place
3 points - Sixth Place

Place Winner Points with Tournaments having Eight Places
16 points - First Place
12 points - Second Place
9 points - Third Place
7 points - Fourth Place
5 points - Fifth Place
3 points - Sixth Place
2 points - Seventh Place
1 point - Eighth Place

There are no match ties in tournament competition and the wrestlers must go into overtime to decide the winner by the Overtime "Sudden Death" Procedure (which will be explained next Sunday). That, fans, is team scoring in tournaments. As you can plainly see, the official scorer has his hands full.

Mini-Mat Quiz

Q: Wrestler A wins by a score of 9-1 in the championship bracket. How many points does he score for his team?
A: Wrestler A would score 3 points for his team - 2points for advancement and 1 point for a major decision.

OVAC Joe Thomas Wrestling Warrior

The Coach Joe Thomas OVAC Wrestling Warrior of the Week is Martins Ferry's Jeffrey Oberdick, a senior who recently won the prestigious Barnesville Invitational at 189 pounds.

Oberdick's past accomplishments include a 2009 4th place finish in the Ron Mauck OVAC Tournament at 171. He also was Ohio District qualifier and held a 28-13 record last year.

Most recently, Jeff Oberdick plans to wrestle at 171 for the Wheeling Park Dual Meet Tournament to be held at WesBanco Arena.

Congratulations are extended to Martins Ferry's Jeffrey Oberdick - this week's OVAC Wrestling Warrior.

The OVAC Wrestling Fan of the Week is Martins Ferry's Larry Deaton, a longtime supporter of the "Purple Riders."

Mat Message

"Most committee meetings consist of many who love to talk, but only a few who are willing to work."
- Bill


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