SUBMITTED TO CONNECT -BRIDGEPORT

 

The 2016-2017 Bridgeport Youth Wrestling (BYW) season came to a dramatic end on Sunday, March 19, 2017 with Owen Gherke taking home BYW’s first ever individual West Virginia Youth State Championship in Huntington. Gherke, a second year wrestler won the title at the 6U-75-pound division. 

 

“He had to win three tough matches to get into the final,” said second year coach Jim Nolte.  Nolte shares head coaching responsibilities with Shawn Taylor and they are assisted by Vincent Nolte. 

 

Gherke competed against wrestlers from all over West Virginia, which was divided into six regions for the competition. He represented Region II as the runner-up. 

 

Gherke won via major decision, 10-0, over the Region V runner-up, Gage Weaver, in the preliminary round.  He then had to face Savion Huggins (West Fairmont) in the quarterfinals, the region II champion that Gherke had just lost to by one point two weeks before the state tournament.  Gherke edged Huggins 6-4 in sudden victory overtime. 

 

“He has great situational awareness for his age and stayed calm and just did what he had to do to win the match to move on,” Taylor said of Gherke. 

 

Gherke then met up with Brayden Gardner, the region VI champion and bested him 8-4 to move on to the finals.  Gherke then faced Haiden Burlee (Frankfort), the Region III champion and handily won 16-2 to take home the championship.  Gherke finished the season with a 31-6 record and placed 5th in the same division last year.

 

Bridgeport qualified six wrestlers for the state tournament.  Colton Clingenpeel was able to garner a 6th place finish in the 12U-105-pound division. 

 

“This is his first year with us at Bridgeport and he has made great strides throughout the season,” Vincent Nolte said about Clingenpeel. 

 

Other state qualifiers from BYW include Jackson Rabren (8U-45 lbs), Zane Wagner (10U-70 lbs), Liam Mayle (12U-95 lbs), and Weston Tabor (10U-80 lbs).

 

Bridgeport Youth Wrestling is part of Bridgeport Parks and Recreation.  The season starts in early November and concludes with the West Virginia Youth Championships.  Practice is held Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday in the evenings.  BYW’s coordinator is Brant Carnes and more information can be found on their Facebook page, “Bridgeport Youth Wrestling.” Click HERE for that page.