http://www.wvusports.com/page.cfm?story=27830&cat=exclusives
Wrestling Signees Racking Up Titles
By Ashley Bailey
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - Titles are piling up for the "Dirty Dozen" as a number of West Virginia University wrestling signees have won championships at both the state and national level in their final year of scholastic competition.
"It's great to see them all working hard," said Mountaineer head coach Sammie Henson. "It's paying off for them. I'm excited to see them translate their high school success to the collegiate level. I have confidence in their abilities."
Austin Myers, ranked No. 3 in his weight class, has won a slew of titles at 220 pounds in his final prep season, wrapping up his career at Campbell County High with a 182-0 record. He defeated Kenny Brinson in an 8-5 decision to win his third NHSCA National Title, earning Flo Wrestler of the Week accolades. Myers pinned three consecutive opponents in less than 40 seconds on his way to the finals. The Kentucky native then went on to win the 220-pound title with a win in the finals over Lucas Ready at Flo Nationals in early April, the lone wrestler this season to claim titles at both events. Myers also earned a win over Missouri's Christian Boyle in the Missouri Border Brawl, held at Union Station in St. Louis prior to the NCAA Championships.
Connor Flynn also took top honors at Flo Nationals, winning a 5-0 decision over Jacob Wentzel in the finals at 152 pounds. Ranked No. 20 in the nation, Flynn upset reigning FILA Cadet World Champion Mason Manville in the semifinals. Prior to Flo Nationals, Flynn won a MHSAA Class 4 State Title at 160 pounds for Francis Howell High (Missouri), earning a 17-2 tech. fall in the finals to improve to 46-0.
Keegan Moore was the third WVU signee to take a title at Flo Nationals. A 2013 Oklahoma state champ and 2014 runner-up, Moore was crowned the 132-pound national champion with a 10-8 win over Jaydin Clayton. Brother Zachary Moore did not end the season empty handed either, winning an Oklahoma Class 6A State Title for Putnam City High at 145 pounds after compiling a 29-0 mark heading into the tournament.
In addition to winning his third PIAA Class AAA Championship at 113 pounds in early March, Devin Brown picked up a win at the Dapper Dan Classic in which the United States All-Star Team squared off with the Pennsylvania All-Star Team. Brown scored a 16-7 major decision over Jabari Moody of Illinois in the event. The Export, Pennsylvania, native helped lead Franklin Regional High to the 2015 WPIAL Team Championship and 2015 PIAA Team Championship, finishing his career with a 171-10 record.
Jonathan Ragsdale became a four-time state champion for Gordon Lee High in Georgia, winning the class 2A state title at 120 pounds with a pin to claim a 216-8 prep record. Fellow Georgia native Caleb Mariakis dropped a 2-1 decision in triple overtime to take second at 138 pounds in the class 4A tournament. Future teammate Bailey Faust suffered a setback by tiebreaker in the finals of the Division II Ohio State championships, taking the runner-up spot at 195 pounds. Ryan Klemp (Lewiston High) was the 152-pound runner-up at the Class 5A Idaho State Championships, finishing his senior year with a mark of 46-1, while Patrick Duggan was the PIAA runner-up at 145 pounds for Cumberland Valley High. In Virginia, J.D. Gregory won his third state title, taking top honors with a pin in the finals at the VHSL Group 5A meet at 126 pounds. Dustin Gray of Timberland High in Missouri finished the season 37-3 and ranked No. 2 in the state at 182 pounds.
Wrestling Signees Racking Up Titles
By Ashley Bailey
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - Titles are piling up for the "Dirty Dozen" as a number of West Virginia University wrestling signees have won championships at both the state and national level in their final year of scholastic competition.
"It's great to see them all working hard," said Mountaineer head coach Sammie Henson. "It's paying off for them. I'm excited to see them translate their high school success to the collegiate level. I have confidence in their abilities."
Austin Myers, ranked No. 3 in his weight class, has won a slew of titles at 220 pounds in his final prep season, wrapping up his career at Campbell County High with a 182-0 record. He defeated Kenny Brinson in an 8-5 decision to win his third NHSCA National Title, earning Flo Wrestler of the Week accolades. Myers pinned three consecutive opponents in less than 40 seconds on his way to the finals. The Kentucky native then went on to win the 220-pound title with a win in the finals over Lucas Ready at Flo Nationals in early April, the lone wrestler this season to claim titles at both events. Myers also earned a win over Missouri's Christian Boyle in the Missouri Border Brawl, held at Union Station in St. Louis prior to the NCAA Championships.
Connor Flynn also took top honors at Flo Nationals, winning a 5-0 decision over Jacob Wentzel in the finals at 152 pounds. Ranked No. 20 in the nation, Flynn upset reigning FILA Cadet World Champion Mason Manville in the semifinals. Prior to Flo Nationals, Flynn won a MHSAA Class 4 State Title at 160 pounds for Francis Howell High (Missouri), earning a 17-2 tech. fall in the finals to improve to 46-0.
Keegan Moore was the third WVU signee to take a title at Flo Nationals. A 2013 Oklahoma state champ and 2014 runner-up, Moore was crowned the 132-pound national champion with a 10-8 win over Jaydin Clayton. Brother Zachary Moore did not end the season empty handed either, winning an Oklahoma Class 6A State Title for Putnam City High at 145 pounds after compiling a 29-0 mark heading into the tournament.
In addition to winning his third PIAA Class AAA Championship at 113 pounds in early March, Devin Brown picked up a win at the Dapper Dan Classic in which the United States All-Star Team squared off with the Pennsylvania All-Star Team. Brown scored a 16-7 major decision over Jabari Moody of Illinois in the event. The Export, Pennsylvania, native helped lead Franklin Regional High to the 2015 WPIAL Team Championship and 2015 PIAA Team Championship, finishing his career with a 171-10 record.
Jonathan Ragsdale became a four-time state champion for Gordon Lee High in Georgia, winning the class 2A state title at 120 pounds with a pin to claim a 216-8 prep record. Fellow Georgia native Caleb Mariakis dropped a 2-1 decision in triple overtime to take second at 138 pounds in the class 4A tournament. Future teammate Bailey Faust suffered a setback by tiebreaker in the finals of the Division II Ohio State championships, taking the runner-up spot at 195 pounds. Ryan Klemp (Lewiston High) was the 152-pound runner-up at the Class 5A Idaho State Championships, finishing his senior year with a mark of 46-1, while Patrick Duggan was the PIAA runner-up at 145 pounds for Cumberland Valley High. In Virginia, J.D. Gregory won his third state title, taking top honors with a pin in the finals at the VHSL Group 5A meet at 126 pounds. Dustin Gray of Timberland High in Missouri finished the season 37-3 and ranked No. 2 in the state at 182 pounds.
