Tribe Manages to Place Fourth at Berkeley Springs Meet Despite having Just Eight Wrestlers Participating
By Jeff Toquinto on December 15, 2017 via Connect-Bridgeport.com
It wasn’t just that Bridgeport High School was facing a limited numbers problem its wrestling team will face all year when traveling to Berkeley Springs last weekend to compete in the season-opening Max Horz Invitational Border Wars. The Indians had weight issues to 
deal with as well.
As it turned out, the Indians managed to handle both in pretty strong fashion. The Tribe finished fourth out of 14 teams to start the 2017-18 season with a bang.
“I was very happy with the effort of the whole team. Due to the standard weight management restrictions I elected to move our wrestlers at 132, 138, 145, and 152 up one weight class,” said Coach Chris Courtney. “They all accepted the challenge and rose to the occasion. We took eight guys and all eight placed.”
While that may seem a bit surprising to the casual observer, it wasn’t to Courtney.
“There were no surprises to me. Competition within practice has improved and the boys are starting to transition that to their matches,” he said.
The best transition came from Kavaughn Summers in the 220 pound division. He was the lone Indian to win a title by going 4-0 during the two-day event.
“Kavaughn Summers delivered a very solid performance winning all his matches,” said Courtney.
Bridgeport also managed a runner-up finish as well. Josh Wojciechowicz finished 3-1 to earn a second place spot in the tournament at 152.
As for the rest of the field, Aiden Gibson (126) finished 3-2 for fourth place; Kemo Summers (138) went 3-2 for fourth place; Addison Courtney (145) finished 2-2 for fourth place; Austin Gibson (16) went 4-2 for fifth place; Benson Bassell (170) went 3-2 for fifth place; and 
Carson DeMotto (182) went 2-2 for fifth place.
Carson DeMotto (182) went 2-2 for fifth place.
James Wood (Va.) won the meet with 260.5 points, while host Berkeley Springs was just behind with 258 points. Hedgesville was third with 174.5 points, while the Indians finished with 162.
“We have reviewed film with the guys. We identified areas we need to get better and we have already started working on improving them,” said Courtney.
The wrestling team returns to action at 10 a.m. Saturday in the Superior Photo Scholarship Tournament at University High. There will be 12 teams participating.
Bridgeport will have a home quad match Dec. 21. All money raised at the gate will be donated to the Harrison County Sheriff’s Department’s “Shop with a Cop.” More on that next week on Connect-Bridgeport.
Editor's Note: Top photo shows the team following the meet, while Kavaughn Summers is shown after one of his wins on the way to his individual title. Bottom photo shows Josh Wojciechowicz, who earned BHS's lone runner-up finish. Photos here and in the gallery below courtesy of Jason Wojciechowicz.
