BECKLEY —
At a glance, it was easy to declare Independence the preseason favorite in Class AA/A. The Patriots were the state runners-up last season and have several placewinners back from that team.
And, sure, several teams would be moving down from Class AAA, but the three-time reigning state champion, Point Pleasant, was ascending to the state’s highest classification.
Things haven’t seemed to work out for the Patriots to this point. There have been several outstanding individual performances, but the team itself has fallen a bit short of expectations. Indy slipped from fourth to seventh in this week’s state coaches rankings as released at wvmat.com.
“You know me. I’m not awfully thrilled with (the season),” coach Cliff Warden said.
“But we haven’t put all the pieces together yet.”
Bingo.
The Patriots, who will compete in the Bob Zide Rumble today in Williamstown, have been slowed by injuries to several key wrestlers. Senior Chris Clark, who was third in the state at 126 pounds last season, has barely wrestled. Sophomore Richie Miller, who was looking to follow a strong freshman season, hasn’t seen the mat since the opening weekend.
Another sophomore, Dustin Justice, won the 145-pound championship at Berkeley Springs Dec. 8 but also has battled injury.
It’s a problem that Warden has faced all season, but it seemed to really hit him at the WSAZ Invitational last weekend.
“I kept thinking, with (Teddy) Stover not having a good tournament, and with Clark and all his points up in the bleachers, and with Justice not in there … if we peak at the right time, we’ll be all right.”
Stover, a sophomore who is the state’s top-ranked 103-pounder, was unable to place at WSAZ. But that would appear to be an off-weekend for Stover, who placed third at the state tournament last February.
“If he’s on,” Warden said, “he can fulfill where he’s ranked.”
The constant for Indy has been junior Colton Ward (34-6), No. 1 in the state at 132 pounds. Ward has won championships at Braxton County and WSAZ in consecutive weekends.
“Strength and explosion,” Warden said of Ward’s strong points. “When he pulls the trigger on a double-leg, there are not many kids who can stop him.
“Those two (Stover and Ward) are our horses.”
The good news for Warden is that he hopes to have Clark (138) and Justice (145) back for the Williamstown tournament.
“If we get them both back, it will help solidify our lineup,” Warden said.
— E-mail: gfauber@register-herald.com
Today's Sports Front
Don’t sleep on Independence
- Today's Sports Front
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Woodrow Wilson headed to states
Hunter Greco will walk into the halls of Woodrow Wilson High School this morning for the final time. He’ll walk past his locker and the classroom of his favorite teacher.
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Rain halts AA final in 5th
It took nearly a week for PikeView and Independence to finally claim their sectional championships, largely because of persistent rain.
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Mavericks fall in AA title game
The James Monroe High School softball team scratched its way up to the championship game of Class AA softball this week.
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Months of waiting ends: Weeks signs with Marshall
Adam Weeks probably could have helped usher in a historic first season for the Mountain East Conference at any member school he wanted. Instead, he waited — and waited — for the offer he really wanted.
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A dream start, nightmare end
Lightning on the horizon brought Wednesday's final game of the state softball tournament to an end.
The James Monroe Lady Mavericks had felt a shock long before that. -
One step away from Charleston
A trip to Charleston — with a lot more on the agenda than a tour of the capitol building and a shopping spree at Charleston Town Center — will be up for grabs tonight for three area teams that are one win away from punching their ticket to the WVSSAC State Baseball Tournament at Appalachian Power Park.
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Tanner is Summers County coach
After weeks of controversy, it appears Summers County High School officially has a new football coach.
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WVU baseball changes up pitching lineup for Big 12 Championship
Randy Mazey’s attention has been on everything but baseball in recent days, as the West Virginia University coach has been out in front of his team’s effort to help the tornado victims in Oklahoma, where his team has been this week preparing for the Big 12 Baseball Championships, which begin today at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark in Oklahoma City, Okla.
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Woodrow downs defending AAA champs
It’s a play that Woodrow Wilson has practiced everyday this season and has rarely had to utilize.
It’s a good thing the Flying Eagles did practice it; it saved their season and led to a 2-1 victory over defending state champion Princeton. -
No repeat for Warriors
Independence has been on a tear offensively the entire month of May. It didn’t stop Tuesday, even against Wyoming East ace Derek Thornton.
The Patriots led 5-0 after two innings, and Brian Sexton — backed by that very offense and some sparkling defense — gutted out a complete game in a 7-5 win in the Class AA Region 3 semifinals Tuesday night. - More Today's Sports Front Headlines
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