In the first 25 years of his life, 2011 Bridgeport High School graduate Zach Markley was involved in some level with the sport of wrestling. Most of it was as a competitor, but the last several years were as an assistant coach at South Harrison.

 

“I started when I was a 3-year-old with the Clarksburg Panthers,” said Markley. “My coaches Sam Satterfield and Bruce Markley (his father) got me to love the sport instantly and I’ve been pretty much involved ever since.”

 

The only interruption came last year. Markley’s job wouldn’t allow him the flexibility to continue his assistant high school coaching job so he sat out.

 

“I still watched a lot of wrestling, but it wasn’t the same being a spectator,” said Markley.

 

He won’t be a spectator this year. Markley, who coached as an assistant at South Harrison since 2012 with the exception of last year, is the new head wrestling coach at Robert C. Byrd.

 

“I’m very excited about this, especially after taking last year off,” said Markley, whose new job as a loss prevention officer allows him the needed flexibility to coach. “I had been in the sport for so long and then I saw where the RCB job was open.

 

“I know they only had a few kids wrestling last year and saw it as an opportunity to build the program so I applied and fortunately was chose,” the 2015 Fairmont State University graduate with a degree in Criminal Justice said. “When I was in high school, Robert C. Byrd was the real deal in wrestling and that’s what I want. I’ve seen the middle school program and hopefully we’ll have kids that want to compete in high school.”

 

Markley competed all four years he was at BHS. He wrestled at 170 as a freshman, 182 as a sophomore and then in the heavyweight division his junior and senior years.

 

“The one thing you learn and I like the best is that it’s a team sport, but it’s an individual result. If you loss or win a match you can’t say it’s because of anything other than yourself. Everything is on you both mentally and physically,” said Markley. “That’s why I love the sport.”

 

During his time as an assistant, Markley said he learned plenty from Jeff Richards, his father Bruce and Curt Radcliff. All three of those individuals were head coaches at the school.

 

“In each situation, it was a positive learning experience,” said Markley. “I plan to put it to use.”

 

That will first happen Nov. 12, when Markley said the season will begin. He said 19 student-athletes have signed up.

 

“You lose a few through academics and a few who realize quickly it’s not for them, but that’s still a good number,” said Markley. “We’ve already got something to build on.”

 

The lifelong Bridgeport resident won’t be doing it without some additional help from the city he still calls home. He has a familiar assistant.

 

“My brother Noah will be a volunteer assistant for us,” said Markley. “I’m looking forward to that as well.”

 

Noah was a state championship wrestler and a state championship football player during his time at BHS. Both will be wearing the RCB colors this winter.

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows Zach Markley during his assistant coaching days at South Harrison, while he's shown with brother Noah in the middle picture. Below, Markley is shown during his own wrestling days. All photos courtesy of Zach Markley.