Nogay selected first team all-state

By MARK FLECKENSTEIN, special to the Herald-Star

 

ALL-STATE CHOICE – Madonna sophomore Max

 

CHARLESTON— Wheeling Central pitcher R.J. Miller came on strong down the stretch, leading his team to its second straight West Virginia Class A baseball championship.

For his efforts, Miller, along with Weirton Madonna sophomore Max Nogay, was named first-team all-state when the West Virginia Sports Writer’s Association released its team Tuesday.

Nogay hit a robust .462 with five home runs and 34 RBI. He also had a .753 slugging percentage, 70 total bases, 12 doubles and a .527 on-base percentage.

Teammate George Magnone, along with the Maroon Knights’ Andrew Richardson and Paden City’s Wes Cosper and Malakai Anderson were named to the second team.

Nogay was a special honorable mention selection last year.

Blue Dons 2005 graduate Anthony Gianni was a second team selection in 2004 as a pitcher and 2005 as a utility player.

The last time Madonna had a first team selection was 1992 when Jim McCracken made it as an infielder and Jamey Keysor as a pitcher.

From 1994 to 2002, the Blue Dons named to the all-state team were either special honorable mention or honorable mention choices.

Magnone hit .430 with 26 RBI, a .538 slugging percentage, a .495 on-base percentage and struck out just six times.

After posting a 7-2 record, a 1.25 ERA and striking out a double-take inducing 133 batters during the regular season, Buffalo sophomore pitcher Jason Lewis earned his second straight first-team selection and captain of the Class A first team all-state squad.

‘‘For a 15-year-old kid, he’s got command of all of his pitches,’’ Bisons coach Jimmy Tribble said. “He can get a kid 3-0 and throw three straight curveballs. That’s a tribute to him. He’s a gutsy kid with some savvy and some intelligence on the mound. He knows how to get you out.’’

He was also Buffalo’s best offensive player as his .427 average and team-high eight home runs attest.

Joining Lewis from Tribbles state runner-up squad is outfielder Adam Scott. A four-year starter, Scott posted a 6-5 record on the mound and drove in 30-plus runs.

Leading the way with three first-team selections was Notre Dame. Irish catcher Chris Stanton repeated behind the plate after hitting .489 with seven home runs and 25 RBI in 20 games, while second baseman Preston Musgrave also got his second straight first-team nod, this time in the infield, after scoring 37 runs and stealing nine bases.

Preston’s little brother Harrison made the team as a sophomore after going 8-3 with 84 strikeouts in 62 innings pitched.

East Hardy placed senior pitcher Jacob Bowman and senior utility Jeremiah Bowman on the squad.

Jacob went 7-2 with a 116 strikeouts in 57 innings, while Jeremiah hit eight home runs and 10 doubles while batting .490 as a catcher.

Williamstown also placed two on the first team, with infielder Greg Davis (.542, 43 RBIs, 6 3B) and utility Justin Wajda (.476, 40 RBIs) rounding out the schools with more than one selection.

Charleston Catholic’s Will Pack (.455, 37 RBIs, 6-2) joins Davis and Preston Musgrave in the first-team infield.

Joining Buffalo’s Scott in the outfield are Wirt Countys Adam Brogdon (.471, 41 RBI; 5-2, 2.26 ERA) and Trevor Corns of Man.

Parkersburg Catholic’s Britt West (.522, 7 HR, 21 2B) and Matt Slone of Van (.494; 6-2, 1.86 ERA) fill the final two utility slots on the first team.

Williamstown’s Drew Townsend, South Harrisons Travis Gawthrop and Shawn Hibbard of Moorefield are the second-team pitchers, while Buffalo’s Chris Belcher is the second-team catcher.

The second-team infield consists of Gilmer Countys Ethan Szabo and Moorefield’s Tanner Burns.

In the outfield are St. Marys Logan Vanderlic and Drew Weis of Fayetteville.

Bo Crites of Moorefield, Wirt County’s Michael Davis, Chase Snyder of South Harrison and Matewans Roger Slone fill the second-team utility spots.



WAYNE (AP) – The Class A All-State baseball team announced Monday by the West Virginia Sports Writers Association:



FIRST TEAM

P-Jacob Bowman, East Hardy, sr.

P-R.J. Miller, Wheeling Central, sr.

P-Jason Lewis, Buffalo (capt.), soph.

P-Harrison Musgrave, Notre Dame, soph.

C-Chris Stanton, Notre Dame, sr.

IF-Max Nogay, Madonna, soph.

IF-Will Pack, Charleston Catholic, sr.

IF-Greg Davis, Williamstown, sr.

IF-Preston Musgrave, Notre Dame, sr.

OF-Adam Brogdon, Wirt County, sr.

OF-Adam Scott, Buffalo, sr.

OF-Trevor Corns, Man, sr.

UTL-Britt West, Parkersburg Catholic, sr.

UTL-Jeremiah Bowman, East Hardy, sr.

UTL-Matt Slone, Van, sr.

UTL-Justin Wajda, Williamstown, sr.



SECOND TEAM

P-Drew Townsend, Williamstown, sr.

P-Travis Gawthrop, South Harrison, jr.

P-Malakai Anderson, Paden City, soph.

P-Shawn Hibbard, Moorefield, jr.

C-Chris Belcher, Buffalo, jr.

IF-Andrew Richardson, Wheeling Central, sr.

IF-Tanner Burns, Moorefield, jr.

IF-Ethan Szabo, Gilmer County (capt.), jr.

IF-Wes Cosper, Paden City, jr.

OF-George Magnone, Madonna, jr.

OF-Logan Venderlic, St. Marys, sr.

OF-Drew Weis, Fayetteville, soph.

UTL-Bo Crites, Moorefield, sr.

UTL-Roger Slone, Matewan, jr.

UTL-Michael Davis, Wirt County, sr.

UTL-Chase Snyder, South Harrison, jr.



SPECIAL HONORABLE MENTION

P-Jack Weishar, Wheeling Central; Warren Hammell, Linsly.

C-Jarrod King, Greenbrier West; Logan Flanagan, Williamstown; Coty Meadows, Paden City; Corey Castle, Van; Josh Thompson, Valley-Fayette; Tyler Barnette, Clay-Battelle.

IF-Chris Bunnell, South Harrison; Brandon Fox, Fayetteville; Matt Goolsby, Charleston Catholic; Zach Foose, Wheeling Central; Colton Copley, Matewan; Dane Biller, East Hardy; Tucker Smith, Moorefield; Zach Morgan, St. Marys; Matt Dotson, Doddridge County; Derek Veazey, Wahama; Josh Valentine, Wirt County; Travis Hurley, Man.

OF-Mike Scott, Cameron; Pat Stealey, Parkersburg Catholic.

UTL-Alex Preast, Fayetteville; Ricky Wright, Paden City; Michael Angalich, Bishop Donahue; Quinn Miller, Gilbert; Trey Linaburg, Pendleton County; Jesse Ward, Wirt County; Michael Bradford, Paw Paw; Michael Wimmer, Montcalm.



HONORABLE MENTION

P-Collin Miller, Williamstown.

C-Troy Hopkins, Fayetteville; Jared Dufour, Midland Trail; Adam Parsons, Wheeling Central; Cody Gooslin, Matewan; Garrett Underwood, Wahama; Kyle McGee, Meadow Bridge; Michael Delaney, Union.

IF-Nic Carte, Fayetteville; Jimmy Johnson, Richwood; Dakota Hoover, East Hardy; Matt Torres, Tygarts Valley; Brandon Raines, Pendleton County; Jarrid McCormick, Williamson; Bobby Hurley, Williamson; Devin Cottrill, Gilmer County; Carter Layfield, St. Marys; Brendan Miller, Tucker County.

OF-Bo McKown, Charleston Catholic; Kolby Foltz, East Hardy; Trevor Sites, Moorefield; Mike Callison, Pocahontas County; Josh Stickley, Moorefield; Max Whitt, Matewan; Jon Powell, Doddridge County; Matt Church, Hundred; Matt Houchin, Calhoun County.

UTL-Keenan Brashier, Richwood; P.J. Ratcliffe, Wheeling Central; Josh Godfrey, Pendleton County; Cody Varney, Tug Valley; Josh Stacy, Williamson; Jonah Coleman, Burch; Ryan Thoburn, Paden City; Matt Houchin, Calhoun County; Jarred Thomas, Van; Austin Johnson, Big Creek; James Newkirk, Valley-Fayette

Shaw earns National Coach of Year award


NEW MANCHESTER — Wrestling USA Magazine will announce in its May 30th edition that Oak Glen wrestling coach Larry Shaw has been selected as its 2008 national wrestling coach of the year.

“I’m deeply humbled. This is a great accomplishment for the school, community and kids,” Shaw said from his home Thursday. “That’s what I’m most proud of. This isn’t something any coach sets out to garner, it just happens. It’s a compliment to the program.”

In February, the Bears, under the guidance of Shaw, won their 12th-straight state championship in Huntington. The streak, which is a record in all sports for the state of West Virginia, is tied for sixth nationally with Northfork Granby, Virginia.

“No question as the titles have piled up, it’s become pretty big,” Shaw said. “To be an elite program and to be recognized nationally, that’s a neat thing. Granby has an incredible tradition.”

In his 29th year as coach, Shaw has produced 50 state champions (including four three-time state champs), 162 all-state wrestlers and has compiled a dual record of 311-92-4. In 2007-08, Shaw’s team was 14-1 in dual action.

“My first thought, and it’s a fairly easy answer, is the kids,” Shaw said when asked what the key has been to all the success. “They have responded year after year. We battle anyone on our schedule. Our kids are very competitive.”

Oak Glen, under the helm of Shaw, has won five OVAC crowns and 12 OVAC dual meet titles. He’s been named OVAC Wrestling Coach of the Year 11 times and West Virginia A-AA Wrestling Coach of the Year six times.

Also on Shaw’s resume of accomplishments: Bill Van Horne Award, OVAC All-Sport Coach of the Year (2000 and 2007), NWCA West Virginia Coach of the Year (1999, 2001 and 2002), NFHS Section II Wrestling Coach of the Year (2004), Upper Ohio Valley Dapper Dan Man of the Year (2003) and the West Virginia Sportswriters All-SPort Coach of the year in 2000 (it’s the only wrestling coach to ever receive the award).

In an attempt to help young wrestlers, Shaw has been very involved in youth clinics and he helped in coordinating The Wrestling Drill Book. He also assisted in producing an instructional video for wrestling officials for the NFHS Officiating Wrestling Online Methods Course.

Shaw, who in the past has thought about retiring in the near future, has no intentions of stepping down yet. Next season will be his 30th and the coach said he’s looking forward to it.

“I feel pretty good right now,” Shaw said. “Spring is a great time to re-charge the batteries. It takes a little longer each year to bounce back, but I’m excited for next year.”

Any please contact: Cindy or Cody by phone (740) 945-9919 or via email at c-riedel@hotmail.com

 

Americas Best Value Inn

Awesome article on Weir wrestler!

Out of tragedy comes inspiration for Read

By ASHLEY NEWMAN, Sports writer



WEIRTON — February 10, 2007 may not be a date of relevance to the average person.

An average Saturday for most, though, was as eventful as it was terrifying for Weir High wrestler Ron Read and everyone in attendance at Brooke High School during a wrestling meet on that date.

In the sweltering gymnasium, nothing seemed out of the ordinary as wrestlers from Oak Glen, Weir High, and Brooke High battled it out on the mat for community bragging rights.

When Read took on Oak Glen’s Joel Paolo in the 125-pound weight division, however, the importance of wrestling was dwarfed and the crowd silenced by an incident which every athlete fears most.

As Paolo attempted a move 30 seconds into the match, Read’s body flipped over into an awkward position, as the wrestler’s full weight lay on the neck of Read.

The 16-year-old lay motionless on the mat. An audible sigh was heard, as this did not resemble the everyday injury that becomes commonplace to those in the wrestling community.

No — this was different — this was much worse. Read was not moving and seconds passed like hours.

Finally, the sophomore, still motionless, was carted off of the mat.

The athlete was driven by ambulance to Weirton Medical Center and then flown via life-flight to Pittsburgh.

Read, now able to move after being paralyzed immediately after the accident, was diagnosed as having broken the C5 and C6 vertebrae in his neck. This type of injury requires surgery and extensive rehabilitation.

For many athletes, this would be the end of the story. Read, though, proved to be different. For him, this was just the beginning.

“It was a freak accident,” Read said. “This was just one of those things where my body went one way and I ended up in a bad spot. When I got into the ambulance, I regained feeling in my arms. It was pretty scary, though. I was paralyzed for a few minutes.”

Doctors in Pittsburgh fused Read’s vertebrae and inserted two steel rods to repair the injury.

“They did the surgery when I got to the Pittsburgh Medical Center,” Read explained. “I was in a hospital bed there for about a week.”

After doctors had deemed the operation a success, Read was transported to the Harmarville Rehabilitation Center, where the focus was getting his full range of movement back.

“I was in a wheel chair for two weeks after the accident,” Read said. “It took a while for me to get the strength back so that I could move around like I was used to.”

Although it was not easy, Read refused to allow the situation to get him down.

“Rehabilitation wasn’t too difficult,” Read said. “It was a great place and there were great people there that helped me out. I just focused on lifting weights to get my legs back in shape.”

Read explained that the right side of his body seemed most affected.

“My right hand and ankle were the most difficult things to get back to normal,” Read said. “That is mainly what I did in rehabilitation. The right side of my body was still a problem. That meant that my balance and was a little bit off.

“I could still walk some, though. I just kept thinking about getting stronger and working out. I knew that all of this happened for a reason and I was just trying to overcome it.”

After two weeks, Read walked out of rehabilitation, but his life was still not back to normal.

A three-sport athlete, he was ready to resume his sports career as track season approached, but precautionary measures were in place, forcing Read to sit out the track season.

“It was pretty tough,” Read said. “Missing the whole season was very difficult for me. It was a month after rehab and they really wouldn’t let me do anything in that month.”

While the average person might sit idly by thankful that their life was spared, Read was intent on getting back out and competing.

“I was actually able to run with the track team the last half of the season,” Read explained. “I wasn’t allowed to participate in any of the meets, but it felt great to get back out there again. I knew what I was running for.

“God gave me my life back. I ran the whole summer. It just felt great.”

Going into his junior year at Weir High, Read continued to work hard. As cross country season approached in the fall, he had proven to doctors that he was ready to resume his athletic career.

In the fall, Read took his first strides of the cross country season. The strides he made during the season, however, paled in comparison to those he had made since his near catastrophic injury.

This past week, Read completed his dramatic comeback, taking 10th place at the West Virginia Class AA-A State Cross Country Meet.

Adam Howell, head coach for cross country at Weir High, was astounded at the competitive fire that burned within Read.

“It was just amazing,” Howell said. “For him to come back after that kind of an injury so soon was incredible. For him to come in the top 10 in the state is a testament to his will and determination.

“He told me afterward that I was a reason that he got as far as he did. I told him that I wasn’t the one that had to go out there and run.

“He is an amazing person.”

Read used the tremendous cross country season as proof that he was able to overcome everything that had happened.

“I proved to myself and everyone else that this injury was not it for me,” Read said. “When I was lying on that mat, I thought my life was over. Standing on the podium, I knew that it wasn’t.”

Read’s miraculous recovery was not done alone, though. He had plenty of people to thank for helping him along the way.

“I’d like to thank my family and friends,” Read said. “They made cards for me while I was recovering. It helped to keep my spirits high.

“They also helped to raise money for me. I would also like to thank my coaches for being supportive. But, above everything else, God really helped me through this. That was the biggest thing.”

Read also had words of encouragement for others who may suffer similar injuries.

“You just can never give up and you have to keep the faith,” Read said. “Keep going and don’t let this hold you down.”
http://www.weirtondailytimes.com/sports/articles.asp?articleID=19260

Bill Welker

The wrestling drill book

click link below.

http://www.amazon.com/Most-Popular-Wrestling-Books/lm/RGUPVNNDI2TEI/ref=cm_lmt_srch_f_2_rsrsrs0/002-8038584-8063214

Steubenville Big Red JV Wrestling Tourney

Once again Steubenville Big Red is going to have its annual JV tournament.
We are only going to take a limited number of teams. So if you are
interested to get your JV's some work, please email me as soon as possible.

Location: Steubenville High School 420 North 4th Street Steubenville, OH
43952

Date: Dec. 8, 2007

Weigh-in: 7:30-8:30 am

Wrestling: 9:00 am Straight to Finish

Weight Classes: Federation

Format: Will be decided by number of entries - Periods will be 1.5,1.5,1.5

Awards: Top 4 in each weight class (individual only, no team awards)

Entry Fee: $80.00 per team (up to 14) $10.00 each for any less than 8 or
exceeding 14

Entries: Wrestlers must make the weight class they are entered in. An
entered wrestler may be replaced on the bracket but will not be allowed to
move up if he fails to make weight. No additional entries will be
permitted the day of the tournament.

All teams participating in the tournament need to email
(mblackburn@steubenville.k12.oh.us) or fax me (740-283-8959) the following
information by Nov. 29th.

Team
Coach
Contact number
Wrestler name/weight class/grade
Any question or concerns.


Email - mblackburn@steubenville.k12.oh.us
Fax - 740-283-8959