Bridgeport High School’s Noah Markley became the third wrestler in school history to capture a state wrestling championship Saturday evening in Huntington. Markley won a 4-3 decision in the 285-pound division of the Class AA-A championships at the Big Sandy Arena.

 

Markley toppled Matthew Stewart of Keyser by a 4-3 score. Ironically, Markley earned the Region II crown and the top seed in the division thanks to a 4-3 win over Stewart in the regional in overtime last weekend

 

The win left Markley with a 44-6 record on the year. It also helped the Indians finish 17^th overall in the Class AA-A rankings.

 

As for Markley, it helps ease the sting of last year’s state wrestling championship. Coach Adam King felt Markley had a shot last year, and that he would do everything he could to make amends this year. King’s thought process was correct.

 

“Noah wrestled very smart this weekend. We really stressed scoring first and wrestling clean matches from a strategical standpoint,” said King. “He did that.”

 

King said there was one thing that was critical once Saturday’s championship round took place if Markley wanted to walk away as the champion. And it happened.

 

“We knew in the championship match we had to get the first takedown,” said King. “Noah hit a textbook sweep single leg and we went 2-0 and wrestled smart from there on.”

 

Markley is now part of a select group of individuals that can all claim state championships for the Indians. Adam Queen won the school’s first title in 2007, while Garrett Stanley pulled off the trick in both 2011 and 2012. Markley, a junior, can match Stanley by winning as a senior in 2016.

 

Click HERE for a preview story on Saturday's competition.

 

Editor's Note: Photo of Noah Markley in his regional win courtesy of Fred Smart.