West Virginia High School Wrestling, Top Wrestlers 2000-01

Top West Virginia Seniors, Juniors, Sophomores, Freshmen: 2000-01

This page composed February 26, 2001

This page reviews the 2000-01 West Virginia State High School Wrestling Tournament and includes those 2000-01 seniors and juniors who placed in the top three, sophomores who placed in the top five, and freshmen who placed in the top six. A few additional stats and comments are added to allow you to draw your own conclusions.

Attention wrestlers and coaches: If you have other "credentials" to add to your listing here (a good finish in other major tournaments, statistics, etc) let us know and we can update your stats!

Top Seniors - AAA

This year, 20 seniors placed in the AAA top three:

Matt Stevens, Parkersburg High, champion 119 (37-4); champion 119 (35-2) as a junior; champion at 103 (40-1) as a sophomore; 2X Tulsa National Champion, 3X Eastern National Champion; Third at 1998 NHSCA Open (Raleigh, N.C.); 3rd (112 lb) at the 1999 World Folkstyle Nationals in Des Moines, Iowa; Runner-up at 2000 NHSCA Open, Birmingham, 119 lb.; Co-winner, Outstanding Wrestler Award, 2001 State Tournament; 2001 Dutton Award winner; Dave Schultz Award winner. Signed to wrestle at Ohio University.
Chris Johnson, Nitro, champion 125 (42-0); third 119 (51-2) as a junior; champion at 112 (50-2) as a sophomore; runner-up at 103 as a freshman (37-1)
Adam Schindler, Ripley, champion 152 (44-1); AA/A champion 145 (43-1) as a junior (Ravenswood); AA/A third at 112 as a freshman (40-3) (Ravenswood)
Byron Wellman, Cabell Midland, champion 275 (38-3); fourth at 275 as a junior (34-5); third at 275 as a sophomore (32-11);
John Duncan, Parkersburg South, champion 135 (27-9); sixth at 125 as a junior (18-15); fourth at 112 as s sophomore (31-13)
Casey Daggett, Parkersburg South, champion 160 (32-1); third 140 (28-6) as a junior
Jeff Noechel, East Fairmont, champion 2125 (44-1); fourth at 160 as a junior (31-10)
Sammy Bonasso, Fairmont Senior, champion 103 (47-0)
Derek Kennedy, Wheeling Park, champion 130 (42-4)
Matt Miller, East Fairmont, runner-up 171 (42-1); champion 171 (33-1) as a junior; champion at160 (44-1) as a sophomore; fourth at 152 as a freshman (31-15)
Jonathan Delligatti, Fairmont senior, runner-up 112 (40-9); runner-up 103 (33-4) as a junior; fifth at 103 (38-11) as a sophomore; fourth at 103 as a freshman (34-13)
Bryan Moats, Hedgesville, runner-up 145 (47-4); sixth at 140 as a junior (48-3); runner-up at 135 as a sophomore (35-2); fourth at 130 as a freshman (37-7)
Joey Thomas, Huntington, runner-up 189 (39-2); runner-up 171 as a junior (41-4)
Aaron McCartney, Parkersburg South, runner-up 215 (26-5); third 215 as a junior(18-8)
Josh Gorayeb, Wheeling Park, runner-up 103 (40-7)
Mike Muldrew, John Marshall, runner-up 135 (33-11)
Mike Staley, Herbert Hoover, runner-up 152 (40-5);
Josh Moore, Wheeling Park, third 140 (39-12); fourth at 135 as a junior (32-17); fifth at 130 as a sophomore (32-17);
Craig Wallace, Parkersburg, third 160 (35-11); sixth at 171 as a junior (24-15)
Mitchell Hastings, Huntington, third 215 (37-6)

Top Seniors - AA/A

This year, 18 seniors placed in the AA/A top three:

Ashley Gandee, Ravenswood, champion 112 (49-0), Outstanding Wrestler Award; champion 112 (44-1) as a junior; champion at 103 (40-2) as a sophomore; sixth at 103 as a freshman (36-7); Runner-up 1999 NHSCA Open (Birmingham, Ala); Runner-up 2000 NHSCA Open (Birmingham, Ala)
Eric Noel, Oak Glen, champion 135 (37-2); champion 130 as a junior (32-3) , runner-up at 119 (32-7) as a sophomore at Weir
Phillip Bellville, Oak Glen, champion 189 (36-2); champion 189 as a junior (38-3); third at 189 (28-11) as a sophomore
Tyler Hughes, Cameron, champion 125 (46-2); runner-up 125 as a junior (41-6); runner up at 112 as a freshman (21-8)
Wyatt O'Neil, Cameron, champion 215 (33-4); runner-up 160 (41-7); fourth at 152 (36-8) as a sophomore
Kyle Eckleberry, Oak Glen, champion 140 (32-9); fourth at 125 as a junior (23-11);
Jamie Bolen, Independence, champion 152 (41-8);
Corey Auvil, Grafton, runner-up 119 (43-2)); third 112 as a junior (42-5); sixth at 103 sophomore (39-9)
Gaelen Lowers, Oak Glen, runner-up 130 (35-7); fifth 130 as a junior (30- 13); fourth at 119 as a sophomore (24-10);
Drew Toth, South Harrison, runner-up 160 (34-1); third 152 as a junior (38-4)
Heath Cliver, Clay County, runner-up 275 (30-10); sixth at 257 as a junior (35-12);
Chris Brown, Independence, runner-up 171 (39-5);
Tim Haddox, Williamstown, third 125 (37-8); champion 119 as a junior (36-13)
Thomas Naylor, Ritchie County, third 275 (47-2); runner-up 275 as a junior (38-3); third at 275 (41-4) as a sophomore
Richard Stotler, Berkeley Springs, third 171 (42-2); runner-up 171 as a junior (44-7); fourth at 189 (41-8) as a sophomore
Chris Leach, Grafton, third 140 (45-1); runner-up 135 as a junior (44-3)
Bryan Smith, Wirt County, third 145 (27-9); fourth at 140 as a junior (26-17);
Scott Lynch, Shady Spring, third 130 (34-5); sixth at 130 as a sophomore (29-8);

Top juniors - AAA

This year, 15 juniors placed in the top three at the AAA state tournament:

Jeff Courtney, Fairmont Senior, champion 171 (42-6); Co-winner Outstanding Wrestler Award; third 171 as a sophomore (41-5); fourth at 160 as a freshman (32-14); Gold Medalist in the Pan-American Games for the Deaf, Havana Cuba, August 1999, freestyle and Greco-Roman; Seventh place (All-American), 2001 Junior Nationals, Greco-Roman, Fargo ND.
Jason Mays, Huntington, champion 145 (35-4); third 152 as a sophomore (34-4); fifth at 145 as a freshman (30-15)
Robbie Ripley, Nitro, champion 140 (49-0); third 125 as a sophomore (39-9)
Matt Smith, Ripley, runner-up 125 (42-3); third 103 as a sophomore(35-4)
Ryan Metz, Parkersburg South, runner-up 119 (25-5); fourth 119 as a sophomore (20-14); fifth 1999 World Folkstyle Nationals, Des Moines, Iowa
Chris Taylor, John Marshall, runner-up 160 (33-9) fourth 152 as a sophomore (34-12)
Chris Satterfield, East Fairmont, runner-up 275 (38-6);
Chris Daggett, Parkersburg South, third 171 (30-4); champion 160 as a junior (36-4); Seventh 1999 NHSCA Open (Birmingham, Ala)
Nathan Pickens, Parkersburg South, third 152 (33-3); runner-up 152 as a sophomore (19-4); Third place 1999 NHSCA Open (Birmingham, Ala)
Robbie Williams, Huntington, third 130 (40-3); runner-up 125 as a sophomore (27-10)
Matt Bosley, Parkersburg South, third 125 (32-6); third 112 as a sophomore (23-8)
Wes Lane, Herbert Hoover, third 135 (43-1); sixth at 125 as a freshman (35-8)
Derek George, John Marshall, third 145 (42-2); sixth at 145 as a sophomore (31-15);
Matt Miller, Preston, third 189 (36-5);
Chris Morrison, Parkersburg South, third 275 (28-8)

Top juniors - AA/A

This year, 13 juniors placed in the top three at the AA/A state tournament:

Derrick Stickles, Oak Glen, champion 160 (32-4); champion 160 as a sophomore (37-4)
Joe Caughey, Oak Glen, champion 275 (34-7); champion 275 as a sophomore (29-10)
Chris Morris, Calhoun, champion 119 (40-1); runner-up 103 as a sophomore (30-3); fifth at 103 (37-7) as a freshman
Roger Kupfer, Cameron, champion 145 (38-1); third 130 as a sophomore (41-3); runner up at 112 (37-4) as a freshman
Ronnie Hebrock, Oak Glen, champion 171 (34-9); third 171 as a sophomore (28-10)
Tyler Westbrook, Williamstown, runner-up 140 (36-9); third 135 as a sophomore (32-11)
Ben Wood, Independence, runner-up 145 (37-7); fifth 140 as a sophomore (35-8)
Vince Magnone, Weir, runner-up 189 (44-5); fifth 171 as a sophomore (35-7)
Joe Weaver, Magnolia, runner-up 215 (45-7); fifth 215 as a sophomore (29-16)
Donnie Peck, Clay County, third 215 (38-3); third 189 as a sophomore (36-9)
Ryan Delebreau, Williamstown, third 189 (37-10); fourth 189 as a sophomore (37-10)
Adam Leach, Grafton, third 135 (43-4);
Jamie Dent, Hundred, third 160 (27-2)

Top sophomores - AAA

This year 10 sophomores placed in the top five at the AAA state tournament:

Matt Easter, Nitro, champion 112 (46-2); champion 103 as a freshman (48-1); third, 1999 World Folkstyle Nationals, Des Moines Iowa; champion Eastern Nationals 1998; runner-up 1998 AAU Folkstyle Nationals, Pontiac MI;
Andrew Starsick, North Marion, champion 189 (40-6)
Chris Gibbs, Cabell Midland, runner-up 130 (33-5); fifth 119 as a freshman (43-8)
Daniel Lord, Hedgesville, runner-up 140 (47-4)
Shane Grogg, Parkersburg South, third 112 (24-8)
Josh Casto, Ripley, third 119 (48-8)
Lucas Cappas, Morgantown, fourth 103 (31-7);
Daran Hayes, North Marion, fourth 135 (29-16)
Blaine Mayle, Buckhannon Upshur, fourth 140 (45-10)
Ray Linger, Elkins, fifth 171 (43-5)

Top sophomores - AA/A

This year 12 sophomores placed in the top five at the AA/A state tournament:

Casey Biddle, Williamstown, runner-up 112 (33-8) ; fourth 103 as a freshman (32-15)
Chris Miller, Wirt County, runner-up 152 (28-10); sixth 145 as a freshman (20-17)
Joey Lobis, Ritchie County, runner-up 125 (34-12)
Matt Morris, Braxton County, third 112 (38-6)
Matt Wharton, Oak Glen, third 152 (10-6)
Cody Shirey, Frankfort, fourth 112 (29-13)
Daniel Whiteman, Hundred, fourth 119 (21-5)
Trampas Efaw, Grafton, fourth 160 (35-10)
Ray Burge, Calhoun, fourth 171 (36-5)
Pete Hashman, St Marys, fourth 189 (44-9)
Steve Flowers, Oak Glen, fifth 145 (29-13)
Josh Clark, Berkeley Springs, fifth 189 (42-6)

Top freshmen - AAA

This year 5 freshmen placed in the top six at the AAA state tournament:

Jacob Frerichs, Nitro, third 103 (44-2)
Kyle Turnbull, University, fifth 112 (35-6)
Brian Humphrey, Wheeling Park, sixth 112 (33-18)
Lou Thomas, Parkersburg High, fourth 171 (21-6)
Matt Delligatti, Fairmont Senior, sixth 215 (34-17)

Top freshmen - AA/A

This year 14 freshmen placed in the top six at the AA/A state tournament:

Dustin Bartrug, St Marys, champion 103 (44-6)
Casey Hughes, Cameron, champion 130 (37-10)
Jesse Biddle, Williamstown, runner-up 103 (26-14)
Shane Smith, Williamstown, runner-up 135 (39-6)
Anthony Valles, Madonna, third 103 (31-6)
Matt Dye, Wirt County, third 119 (32-8)
Devin Bosley, Frankfort, fourth, 135 (37-9)
Alan Tracewell, Williamstown, fourth 130 (20-10)
Noah O'Neil, Cameron, fifth 103 (27-15)
Daniel Allen, Wirt County, fifth 112 (31-9)
Brandon Dye, Wirt County, fifth 125 (33-9)
David Stutler, Clay County, sixth 103 (28-11)
Eric Metz, Calhoun, sixth 125 (29-13)
Lee Lauderman, Williamstown, sixth 160 (28-16)

Undefeated Wrestlers 2000-01

High School

Sammy Bonasso, Fairmont Senior, 103, 47-0
Ash Gandee, Ravenswood, 112, 49-0
Chris Johnson, Nitro, 125, 43-0
Robbie Ripley, Nitro, 140, 49-0

No losses to West Virginia Opponents
Mat Easter, Nitro, 112, 46-2
Eric Noel, Oak Glen, 135, 37-2
Roger Kupfer, Cameron 145, 38-1
Casey Daggett, Parkersburg South, 160, 32-1
Phillip Belville, Oak Glen, 189, 36-2
Jeff Nochel, East Fairmont, 215, 44-1

Junior High - Middle School

Chad Porter, Blennerhassett Jr Hi, 90, 24-0 as of Jan 25
Feliz Osuno-Cotto, Blennerhassett Jr Hi, 95, 24-0 as of Jan 25
Justin Chapman, Shady Spring Jr High, 102, 39-0 as of Jan 30
Corey Porter, Blennerhassett Jr Hi, 110, 24-0 as of Jan 25
Micah Gerasimovich, South Morgantown, 110, 15-0 as of Jan 19
Brennon Chambers, Oak Glen Middle, 116, 32-0, season complete
Jessie Mahan, Oak Glen Middle, 123, 32-0, season complete
Shaun Smith, Blennerhassett Jr Hi, 123, 24-0 as of Jan 25
Seth Young, Blennerhassett Jr Hi, 24-0 as of Jan 25
Mitch Smith, Ripley Middle School, 135, 33-0 as of Jan 16
Kevin Efaw, Taylor County Middle School, 135, 22-0 as of Jan 30
Mike Davis, Harpers Ferry, 145, 25-0, season complete
Corey Adkins, Moundsville, 145, 17-0 as of Jan 21
Doug "Pyscho" Sillex, Harpers Ferry, 165, 25-0, season complete
Jonathan McCourt Buckhannon Upshur, 250, 26-0 as of Jan 16

No losses to West Virginia Opponents

Brandon Miller, Oak Glen Middle, 85, 20-0 as of Jan 18
Chris Stevens, Oak Glen Middle, 110, 19-0 as of Jan 18
Cody Potts Oak Glen, 165, 30-2, season complete

2001 Four-time state placewinners (freshman, sophomore, junior, senior)

Ashley Gandee, Ravenswood
Jonathan Delligatti, Fairmont Senior
Chris Johnson, Nitro
Bryan Moats, Hedgesville
Matt Miller, East Fairmont

Wrestlers to watch in 2002

Looking to defend or reclaim state championships in 2002

Seniors in 2002 (2000-01 weight class)

Chris Morris, Calhoun, AA/A 119
Robbie Ripley, Nitro, AAA 140
Roger Kupfer, Cameron, AA/A 145
Jason Mays, Huntington, AAA 145
Derrick Stickles, Oak Glen, AA/A 160
Ronnie Hebrock, Oak Glen AA/A 171
Jeff Courtney, Fairmont Senior, AAA 171
Joe Caughey, Oak Glen, AA/A 275
Chris Daggett, Parkersburg South, AAA 171 ('00 champ at 160)
Aaron Barnette, Independence ('00 champ at 171)

Juniors in 2002 (2000-01 weight class)

Matt Easter, Nitro, AAA 112
Andrew Starsick, North Marion, AAA 189

Sophomores in 2002 (2000-01 weight class)

Dustin Bartrug, St Marys, AA/A 103
Casey Hughes, Cameron, AA/A 130

Looking to become a four-time state champion

Matt Easter, Nitro, AAA 112 (champs as a freshman and sophomore)
Dustin Bartrug, St Marys, AA/A 103 (champ as a freshman)
Casey Hughes, Cameron, AA/A 130 (champ as a freshman)

Looking to become four-time state placewinners

Seniors in 2002 (2000-01 weight class)

Tucker Brown, Cameron
Chris Morris, Calhoun
Roger Kupfer, Cameron
Jason Mays, Huntington
Jeff Courtney, Fairmont Senior

Juniors in 2001 (1999-00 weight class)

Matt Easter, Nitro
Casey Biddle, Williamstown
Chris Gibbs, Cabell Midland
Chris Miller, Wirt County

Sophomores in 2002 (2000-01 weight class)

Jacob Frerichs, Nitro, third 103 (44-2)
Dustin Bartrug, St Marys, champion 103 (44-6)
Jesse Biddle, Williamstown, runner-up 103 (26-14)
Anthony Valles, Madonna, third 103 (31-6)
Noah O'Neil, Cameron, fifth 103 (27-15)
David Stutler, Clay County, sixth 103 (28-11)
Kyle Turnbull, University, fifth 112 (35-6)
Daniel Allen, Wirt County, fifth 112 (31-9)
Brian Humphrey, Wheeling Park, sixth 112 (33-18)
Matt Dye, Wirt County, third 119 (32-8)
Brandon Dye, Wirt County, fifth 125 (33-9)
Eric Metz, Calhoun, sixth 125 (29-13)
Casey Hughes, Cameron, champion 130 (37-10)
Alan Tracewell, Williamstown, fourth 130 (20-10)
Shane Smith, Williamstown, runner-up 135 (39-6)
Devin Bosley, Frankfort, fourth, 135 (37-9)
Lee Lauderman, Williamstown, sixth 160 (28-16)
Lou Thomas, Parkersburg High, fourth 171 (21-6)
Matt Delligatti, Fairmont Senior, sixth 215 (34-17)

Return to the WV-Mat front page
Return to the Top Wrestlers Index Page

Updated February 28, 2000