By Allen Hamrick
The CCHS wrestling team participated in one of the biggest tournaments in the state this past weekend – the 2024 West Virginia National Guard Duals held at the Summersville Armory.
The Panthers, under head coach Jamie McDonough, have done a great job getting their team in butt kicking shape. The Panthers have proven their worth on the mats throughout this season at different tournaments. This tournament has some of the best AAA, AA, and A schools participating, not only in West Virginia but from other states, to come and grit it out for wrestling fans. The CCHS team was down some wrestlers to start the tournament, but their presence was known, none the less. The Panther team started out points down due to that lack of wrestlers, but that didn’t alter the fact that when the boys hit the mat, they came to wrestle. The tournament started on Friday afternoon with the Panthers going 2-2 on the night.
In the match against Greenbrier East, Zane Minger crossed over into legendary wrestler status with his 150th win. This accomplishment has only been mastered by a select few individuals across the wrestling spectrum. His dedication to the sport has never been limited to just getting by but to be the best in his weight class, and he has proven this every since he put on the uniform. He is a senior this season, and it will be his last on the mats at CCHS as a Panther. We wish him the best as he wrestles to be at the top of the podium at the state tournament; congratulations to Zane Minger.
This was a duals tournament so it is a team event. Saturday rolled around, and with the threatening storm holding off the buckets of snow, the Panthers went to work once again and butted heads with some tough teams like Richland and Roane County. By the end of the day, the Panther team did a good job holding their own, went 4-4 for the whole meet, and placed 9th over all. Not bad for a team down three wrestlers.
The Panthers will be in Fairmont this weekend bringing the thunder and will be in Huntington for the WSAZ tournament in a couple of weeks. The Mustang wrestling team will also be on the road sweeping the mats in Chapmanville on January 9th, at Logan on the 11th and at Calhoun on the 13th. If you get the chance, get out and catch a match; you will be glad you did. Come out and support your local teams.
