Big Red Shines with Third Place Finish at OVAC Tournament: Highlights and Key Moments

Big Red’s Brody Saccoccia controls Cameron’s Eli Tedrow in the 157-pound final at the OVAC Championships. Saccoccia won with a major decision.

WHEELING – The OVAC Ron Mauck Wrestling Championships had a thrilling finale at WesBanco Arena. The University High wrestling team shone brightly in the 71st edition of this annual event.

The Hawks, even with a final tally of just 2-5 in championship matches, secured both the overall and Class 5A titles. They scored 281 points, nearly outpacing Beaver Local, which came in second with 183 points. Steubenville and Parkersburg South followed closely behind.

“It feels great,” said University head coach Ken Maisel. “We went into many matches as underdogs, but our team exceeded expectations. This tournament was a big win for our school.” Maisel hopes the momentum continues throughout the season.

Brock Kehler stood out by winning his third consecutive OVAC championship. He pinned Landen Thomas from Harrison Central in just 1 minute and 48 seconds at 285 pounds. Kehler’s performance earned him the David Bierkortte Award for Most Outstanding Wrestler, along with the Hercules Award for achieving the most pins in the shortest time.

Another standout was Pepper Martin, who successfully defended his title in the 113-pound class. He defeated Aiden Anderson from Oak Glen with a decisive 16-5 score.

Wheeling’s Linsly also made history with two freshmen winners, Brock Humphrey (106) and George Mamakos (132). Humphrey won his match against Justuce Fisher, while Mamakos claimed victory over Nico Maisel. This marked a historic moment for Linsly’s program.

Jameson Maynard from Wheeling Park achieved a significant win at 190 pounds with a 16-1 technical fall. This victory was his second title, solidifying his reputation with an overall record of 18-0.

Isaac Martin from Wheeling Central shone in the 215-pound category, winning his match with a 15-6 decision over Jackson Pate. Martin’s victory added to his impressive season and marked a significant achievement for his school.

Beaver Local also produced strong performances. Bobby Buchheit captured his third consecutive title with a convincing win at 138 pounds, while Jake Hughes secured victory at 150 pounds against Cameron’s Slaton Pettit.

Cooper Smith and Brody Saccoccia from Big Red both repeated their championship success. Smith celebrated his 100th career win against University’s Carter Pauley, while Saccoccia dominated his match against Eli Tedrow with a 19-4 score.

Cameron managed to secure at least one title with Braxton Birch’s win at 126 pounds, showcasing his talent as a promising wrestler.

Barnesville’s Ayden King won at 165 pounds, achieving his first title after several near-misses in previous years. Meanwhile, Union Local’s Gamble Gossett surprised by defeating the top-seeded Tristan Eckles, marking a significant achievement for the Jets.

With schools from around the region competing, the event highlighted the rising talent in wrestling. It’s evident that many athletes are preparing for brighter futures in the sport.