By Allen Hamrick
The annual Bob Stover Classic Duals was held this past Saturday, and what a tournament it was. Coach Stover has long been a legend in the world of wrestling coaching many young wrestlers to go beyond what is asked and become champions. His dedication to the sport will never be forgotten as long as the mats are rolled out on the floor.
With that being said, 15 of the best wrestling teams competed in the event. Wrestlers from all the schools represented brought their A game and put on a wrestling show. This being a duals tournament, teams competed against each other for the crown instead of just the individuals. If you come into the Panther’s den to attempt to whip them out, you better bring lunch and a big one at that. This year’s CCHS team is quick and full of good wrestlers. There were three pools each with five teams. Clay’s team went 4-0 in their pool in the first rounds and sent their opponents home crying to Grandma with a big box of tissues. They defeated Robert C Byrd, Lincoln, Webster and Doddridge. Roane melted through their rounds, as well, beating Hurricane, Hoover Blue, South Harrison and Grafton. In the third pool, it was Hoover Red on top going undefeated while beating, Lewis, Logan, Phillip Barbour and the X team. In the end, however, when the points were tallied up, Hoover Red took home the championship with Clay taking second and Roane County taking third.
Simply put, only the best team could handle the speed and power the Panther wrestlers have. If you were there, you got to see some of the best gut wrenching, heart thumping action. If you weren’t there, you missed some great wresting that was probably some of the best around – all out bone crushing action. The Bob Stover Classic Duals was a great tournament, a great testament to unwavering will of the Clay County Panthers wrestling team. All in all, the Panther wrestling team is at the top of their game and are the top horses in the stable, for now. On Friday, January 3, they will travel to the WV Armory in Summersville for the WV Army National Guard Duals, a huge tournament that will test every muscle in each wrestler.
It also has to be said a big thanks goes out to all those who worked behind the scenes, from fixing the king’s banquet in the cafeteria to cleaning up afterward – all was appreciated. Also, big thanks go out to Tim Casto and his wife Michelle for providing the mats and clocks for the event; without people such as these, there would be no events. Tim has been on the front lines of the wrestling and football worlds for a long time making sure local youth get the chance to compete. His good will is nearly unmatched for the youth of this county.