The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

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  • Liberty’s Nick Barker, bottom, and Colton Ward of Independence wrestle in the 132-pound championship of the Class AA/A Region 3 tournament Saturday in Shady Spring. Barker is one of nine Raiders who qualified for the state tournament that starts Thursday in Huntington. Chris Tilley

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February 21, 2012

Depleted Raiders were impressive at regionals

By Gary Fauber Assistant Sports Editor

The season started off so well for Liberty.

The Raiders won four of their first five tournaments, including a big win in St. Clairesville, Ohio, in a duals tournament that included state power Oak Glen.

But around the end of January, things started to sour. Attrition seemed to be lurking at every corner.

“We have dealt with injuries, and we lost a few (wrestlers) to grades,” Raiders coach Randy Daniel said. “Things that I can’t always be in control of.”

Suddenly, Liberty didn’t appear quite as strong as it once had.

Then came the Class AA/A Region 3 tournament last weekend. It was almost as if nothing had changed.

Liberty finished third behind champion Independence and runner-up Greenbrier West in the team standings. But individually, the Raiders had more success than any other team.

Liberty put seven wrestlers in the finals and came away with five regional champions: Daniel Carpenter (138 pounds), R.J. Elam (152), Cody Caffro (170), Trey Fitzwater (182) and Tyler Bays (220).

If anyone was sleeping on the Raiders, they got a quick wake-up call.

“I was really pleased,” Daniel said. “I’ve said it before, these are some hard working kids and it shows.

“I just wish I had more kids to put out there. That probably would have made a difference.”

Liberty will send nine wrestlers to the state tournament, which will begin Thursday in Huntington. That’s quite a feat considering the Raiders can no longer fill four of the 14 weight classes.

Also in the state tournament will be regional runners-up Tristen Harvey (113) and Nick Barker (132) and third-place finishers Matthew Bailey (145) and Logan Asbury (160).

“The boys we still have never let up,” Daniel said. “We knew what was facing us team-wise, but individually we knew what was possible. The season goes on and I am proud of the way they did. There were some tough matches. It was the finals; that’s the way it should be.”

Daniel said his team is neither making nor taking excuses as the state tournament approaches.

“Everybody can sit back and say, ‘If we had these people’ or ‘If this had happened,’” Daniel said. “We are going to take to it and see how it all pans out.

“It’s the state tournament and there are supposed to be tough matches. Why did you practice every day for the last three months if you are not expecting a tough match?”

It isn’t just his team Daniel expects to do well. He fully believes that Region 3 as a whole will bring home a little more hardware.

“There are far too many for me to name, and I would not dare do that and jinx them,” Daniel said. “But the talent is there and the heart is there. If they go and give themselves a chance, I think they will see how well they can do. I wish everybody luck, especially any seniors.

“You never know what will happen in the tournament, but I think our region will see some (state) champions this time.”

— E-mail: gfauber   @register-herald.com

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