Big opportunity for local wrestlers
PARKERSBURG — For more than 20 years, prior commitments always kept Chris Way from attending the most prestigious wrestling events in the country.
Setting aside anywhere from a week to nine days to accompany wrestlers as a coach in Fargo, N.D. as part of the USA Marine Corps Junior and 16U Nationals is quite lengthy for an individual trying to juggle a role as Parkersburg High School athletic director and various other duties in town.
This year, however, Way is taking a total of six wrestlers – three representing Parkersburg South High School and another three incoming freshmen at PHS. The tournament, which incorporates both freestyle and Greco-Roman, runs July 15-23.
“It’s really exciting to be going to an event that is coined the ‘biggest wrestling tournament on earth,'” Way said. “There will be close to 5,000 kids competing. Pretty much every college coach will be there watching kids trying to make their mark in wrestling. It’s an experience of a lifetime for these kids.”
Representing South are three-time state champion Gage Wright, along with junior Brycen Arthur and incoming freshman Cole Smith.
“All three have traveled the country and hit a bunch of the national tournaments,” Way said. “Gage has had a lot of success and knocked off some really good wrestlers along the way. Obviously, he is looking for a spot at the top of the podium.”
For PHS, Dominic Way, Stephen Myers and Kayden McDonald are all incoming freshmen into the Big Red program and eligible to compete in Fargo for the first time.
Regardless of how well they fare in Fargo, both Dominic Way and Myers have qualified for the Pan American team trials in Colorado Springs scheduled for Aug. 12-13.
If either or both were to secure a spot on the national team, they would represent USA in the Pan American Games in November.
“Coaching these kids over the years, their growth has been tremendous,” said Chris Way, who is a former wrestling coach at PHS. “They have been wrestling at the national level for several years. Working with them throughout the years, I have seen them consistently knock off some top-notch wrestlers.”
Both McDonald and Smith will compete at 106 pounds at Fargo, while Dominic Way will wrestle in the 113-pound bracket. Myers weighs in at 120, while Wright and Archer will compete at 170 and 220 pounds, respectively.
“Hopefully the kids will go out there, show their best and learn from all the other great wrestlers out there,” Chris Way said. “Hopefully they have a great experience and are able to bring back tools which will allow them to become a better wrestler.
“By going to these events, coaches are starting to put an eye on them. That’s how they get invited to different camps.”
Even before his son Dominic was born, Chris Way always had the notion to make the trip to Fargo. Now that Dominic is eligible to compete, there are no excuses not to go.
“Before Dominic was ever born, I thought I never would go – I had been saying that for 20 years,” Chris Way said. “Now it is a reality.”
Contact Kerry Patrick at kpatrick@newsandsentinel.com