Today, I have the extreme pleasure of announcing Wheeling News-Register's 26th Annual "OVAC Ohio and West Virginia Wrestlers of the Year."
The honorees are determined by a committee of five Ohio Valley wrestling enthusiasts, which includes and is chaired by yours truly. As always, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Bill Hinegardner (1984 Mr. Mat), Ron Mauck (1986 Mr. Mat), Dan Doyle (2005 Mr. Mat), and Dick Wolf for graciously volunteering to serve on this selection board. I have never worked with a more sincere and honorable group of men.
The recipients must be seniors and are chosen on the basis of personal wrestling accomplishments over their entire scholastic careers. This year's winners are Parkersburg South's Lance Hill and Alex Quinn of Shadyside.
Article Photos
Quinn
LANCE HILL
* West Virginia AAA State Champion (2012)
* Three-Time West Virginia State Placewinner (2011-12-13)
Fact Box
The following are the past Ohio and West Virginia recipients of the prestigious OVAC Wrestlers of the Year Award:
1988 John Crain, Oak Glen
Rick Burlenski, Bridgeport
1989 Dave Wood, Cameron
Dunyasha Yetts, Steubenville
1990 Ed Neely, Weirton Madonna
Babe Sidon, Martins Ferry
1991 Eric Potts, Cameron
Scott DeYarmon, Buckeye Local
1992 R. C. Anderson, Cameron
John Gilbeaut, Union Local
1993 Ryan Dudas, Cameron
Kelly Shields, Edison
1994 Chad Burge, Cameron
Ryan Slack, Shadyside
1995 Jason Taylor, Wheeling Park
Brian Roskovich, Bridgeport
1996 Josh Giovengo, Bishop Donahue
Eric Anderson, Bellaire St. John's
1997 Dewitt Stanley, Brooke
Sean Doyle, Buckeye Local
1998 Chad Pratz, Linsly
Travis Clark, Union Local
1999 Alex McClung, Oak Glen
Matt Salsberry, East Liverpool
2000 Steve Ochap, Wheeling Park
Scott Roth, Martins Ferry
2001 Eric Noel, Oak Glen
Cole Bowersock, Beaver Local
2002 Derrick Sickles, Oak Glen
John Tierney, Martins Ferry
2003 Phil Bliss, Brooke
David Berolino, Buckeye Local
2004 Casey Hughes, Cameron
Koel Davia, Union Local
2005 Dustin Richey, John Marshall
Clay Tucker, Martins Ferry
2006 Rhett Northcraft, Oak Glen
Willie Saxton, Buckeye Local
2007 Ronnell Green, Wheeling Park
James Myers, Indian Creek
2008 Zach Basich, Wheeling Central
Bryan Skoff, Bridgeport
2009 Dirk Bauer, Wheeling Park
Robbie Chilson, Bellaire
2010 Max Nogay, Weirton Madonna
Dylan Ice, Beaver Local
2011 Kyle Bauer, Wheeling Park
Dominic Prezzia, St. Clairsville
2012 David Jeffrey, Parkersburg South
Jeremy Border, Caldwell
2013 Lance Hill, Parkersburg South
Alex Quinn, Shadyside
* Three-Time West Virginia AAA Region I Champion
(2011-12-13)
* Three-Time Ron Mauck OVAC Champion (2011-12-13)
* Career Record: 158-22
* Senior Record: 34-4 (19 pins)
* Grade Point Average: 2.75
* College Aspirations: Lance plans to pursue a career in education and coach wrestling.
* Head Coach: Donna Dixon
* Assistant Coaches: Gary Porter, Kevin Dixon, Chris Hill, David Jeffrey, Jeremy Layner, Jason Marks, Dean Moore, Chad Porter, John Price, Kenney Richards, and Shaun Smith.
ALEX QUINN
* 2013 Ohio Division III State Champion
* Two-Time Ohio Division III State Placewinner (2012-2013)
* Two-Time OVAC Champion (2012-2013)
* Two-Time Ohio District Champion (2012to 2013)
* Career Record: 127-6
* Senior Record: 45-0
* Career Plans: Alex is undecided at this time.
* Head Coach: Scott Kinemond
* Assistant Coach: Kurt Glasser
Mat Salute
Special "kudos" are addressed to the following 2013 OVAC individual state champion - Shadyside's Alex Quinn.
Coaching Honors
Congratulations to Steubenville's Coach Mike Blackburn, his staff, and the "Big Red" wrestling team for winning the 2013 Ron Mauck OVAC Over-All Team Title.
Official's Corner
This year four OVAC referees were selected to officiate the West Virginia and Ohio state wrestling tournaments.They are Jim Copney, Ray Marling, and Ken McWilliams in the Mountain State, along with former area official Chris Diserio.
Many congratulations are extended to all four of these fine OVAC officials.
Larry Deaton, the dean of Ohio Valley wrestling officials, served as supervisor of the score table officials at the West Virginia State Championships.
Mat Message
"Talent is God-Given; Be Humble.
Fame is Man-Given; Be Grateful.
Conceit is Self-Given; Be Careful."
John Wooden
