Wrestling tourney staying put
Coaches pleased with Huntington playing host to state’s best grapplers
By DAVID WALSH
The Herald-Dispatch
HUNTINGTON — Huntington will be home to the West Virginia High School Wrestling Championships for two more years.
Roane County coach Garry Bender has no problem with that. Neither does Calhoun County coach Mike Stump or East Fairmont’s John Geary.
“You always know what’s going to happen next. I like that, “said Bender, who was in Huntington on Saturday night for the roast/retirement dinner for former Huntington High wrestling coach Bill Archer. “We’ve got the routine down, plus the people who run the tournament do a good job.”
Archer served as state tournament director the past 24 years. He’ll continue in that capacity even though he’s retired from coaching. The 60th annual State Tournament will be held Feb. 22-24, 2007 at Big Sandy Superstore Arena.
“No complaints, “Stump said. “Bill does a good job. For the kids who come the first time, it’s quite different. I tell them it’s not just a gym, but a big arena.”
The West Virginia Wrestling Coaches Committee met in Parkersburg on Wednesday and confirmed no other city bid on being tournament host. That opened the door for Huntington for 2007 and ’08.
“Coach Archer and the people he has working the tournament in Huntington have done an outstanding job, “said Gary Ray, assistant director for the West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission.
Ray gave credit to Pepsi, the Huntington Sports Committee and Bob Bailey and the Cabell County Commission for providing funds needed to make this three-day event special.
“It is something we’ve been doing for a long time and we are glad they have decided to let us to continue to hold it in Huntington, “Archer said. “It’s always a compliment to the people and city. They do a good enough job to keep it. I am sure if you have shown any lack of interest or effort, another area would have made an effort to get the tournament.”
When wrestlers, coaches, families and friends hit town, that means area hotels fill up and businesses everywhere, particularly Huntington Mall and Pullman Square and restaurants, have additional customers.
“There’s a lot of stuff to do when we’re not wrestling, “Geary said.
Coach Gene Monteleone, who directed Wheeling Park to the Class AAA title last season, said Patriots wrestlers and fans find ways to pass time when they’re not in the arena.
“The kids like the idea of going away, “he said. “It’s a reward. There are plenty of things to do. I see a revitalization.”
There’s another area where Wheeling Park supporters visit. Marshall University.
“We check it out, “Monteleone said. “It’s nice to see and maybe one of our kids will go there.”
Cabell Midland coach Ernie Sparks said staying home is fine with him.
“For us, we get better control over our kids, “he said. “The community supports it well and Bill does a great job. I’m sure everyone’s happy it’s staying and they should be.”
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