Although Bridgeport didn’t walk away with any state titles in this past weekend’s Class AA-A wrestling tournament held in Huntington, the Indians did manage to finish in 16^th place overall with just six wrestlers. More than 50 teams participated in the ‘AA-A’ meet.

 

Bridgeport finished with 37 points. Independence won the state title, while East Fairmont was the runner-up in an event that didn’t feature teams that challenged either.

 

“We got better as a team this year.  This team is not shy about putting the work in,” said Bridgeport wrestling Coach Chris Courtney. “It hasn't always translated to the mat. I feel we are getting better with match preparation, mental focusing, and wrestling the whole six minutes. I hope they carry this momentum and excitement into the offseason.”

 

Bridgeport’s best chance, based on record, for a title was Kavaughn Summers who went into the state meet with just one loss in the 220-pound classification. Summers won his first match, before falling his next match by a 3-2 score in overtime to Berkeley Springs’ Tanner Clark.

 

With the setback, Summers dropped into the consolation bracket. He picked up a 5-2 decision against Quinn Meador of Braxton County and followed that with a 6-2 win against North Marion’s Austin Conaway. That win put him into a position to place. Unfortunately, he dropped a 4-3 decision to Petersburg’s Doug Morrall, which dropped him into the fifth-sixth place match.

 

Summers faced Independence’s Trey Gunnoe in the bout and won by fall at the 1:39 mark. The pin allowed him to finish in fifth place and end the year with a 35-3 record.

 

“Kavaughn had a great year and tournament. He is a competitor. He would tell you he wanted a better finish. His losses were all close matches,” said Courtney. “I think he has grown as a wrestler and competitor. If he continues to train in the offseason he will have a very good ending to his high school career. We need him to step up in the role as a leader next year.”

 

Bridgeport got another fifth place finish from Aidan Gibson at 126.  Gibson won on the first day and then won by disqualification against Weir’s Blaze Caine before losing by pinfall to Independence’s Liam Lusher at 4:88.

 

With two wins, Gibson dropped into a position where he could lose another match and still compete. He fell to Mitchell Freeman of Point Pleasant by a 7-2 score. That put him in a fifth-sixth place match against Oak Glenn’s Gavin Ray, where he took home an 11-4 win and a fifth place showing.

 

 “Aidan look great this weekend. He beat a guy that beat him twice this year,” said Courtney. “He competed each match. My goal for him over the next two years is to believe in himself. When he wrestled with confidence he is tough to beat.”

 

BHS had one additional wrestler place. Freshman Kemo Summers took home a sixth place finish at 132. After a day one win, Summers lost his second match to Lane Flint of East Fairmont by a fall at the 1:59 mark.

After dropping into the consolation bracket, Summers toppled Brandon Shaw of Berkeley Springs with a 4-2 decision in overtime. Summers then lost a close matcher to Hunter Taylor of Independence by an 8-7 score that put him into the fifth-sixth place match. There, he dropped a 13-1 decision to Williamson’s Mason Deem.

 

“Kemo was impressive this weekend. He battled every match. He is going to be exciting to watch over the next three years,” said Courtney.

 

BHS had three others wrestlers compete, but didn’t place. Austin Gibson, Addison Courtney and Benson Bassell all competed at the Big Sandy Superstore Arena. Bassell was the lone senior competing in Huntington.

 

“I think Benson wrapped up his senior year in a very positive way. He gives it his all from the start off the match to the end. I hope the rest of the team takes notice of what Benson has done in just two years of high school wrestling,” said Courtney. “I wish him the very best moving on in college and his desired career.”

 

 As for the other two, Courtney also had works of praise for them.

 

“Austin and Addison improved this weekend. They are in very competitive weight classes,” said Courtney. “They held their own. I am not worried that they will put in time and effort in the offseason to finish on the podium next year.  They are motivated to get better.”

 

With the majority of the wrestlers back in 2018-19, including all three that placed in Huntington and five of six that made it there, Courtney is expecting big things next year. And he’s hoping to have enough to field a complete team.

 

“We can be a competitive team if we continue to grow.  Hopefully, the growth of our team this year attracts more students to come out for the sport,” said Courtney. “I am very impressed with the young men I had a chance to go to battle with this year. I am looking forward to maximizing their potential in the year to come.”

 

Editor's Note: Top photo is of Kavaughn Summer, while second is of Kemo Summers. Bottom photo shows Aidan Gibson. Top two photos by www.benqueenphotography.com.