Belmont Commissioners honor community achievers

ST. CLAIRSVILLE -- The Belmont County Board of Commissioners took a few moments Wednesday to commend a young man who has done the area proud at the state level.

Commissioners honored Barnesville High wrestler Reese Stephen, who won the Division III state title at 150 pounds at the Schottenstein Center in Columbus on March 12. Stephen, a junior, became the sixth state wrestling champion in Barnesville High School's history.

Stephen ended this past season with a 52-2 record. He owns a three-year record of 124-7. He finished fifth place in the state in 2021 and was his team's most valuable player in 2021 and 2023.

Commissioner J.P. Dutton said this year's championship match represented years of training and preparation to be in the match and to come out victorious.

"It's quite an accomplishment," he said. "These are always great. We're able to recognize our state champions in Belmont County and the recognition they brought to Belmont County for all their hard work and efforts."

Reese Stephen's father, Jayson Stephen, who is also head coach at Barnesville High School, and other family joined him. He said he has been wrestling for 13 years.

"It was a big deal. For him, obviously, and for Barnesville wrestling," Jayson Stephen said.

He added the team members put in considerable work behind the scenes, and that training has not ceased, since they were not training for baseball.

"It's continual work for the past several years. He has a good group of kids his age who all have his goals. They're looking forward to next year. All seven of those guys had made it to state and they're all coming back," Jayson Stephen said. "It's been a lot of work. I've been in for 26 years, 13 years as a head coach. ... Our youth program is very large. There's 70 kids. Our junior high's close to around 20, high school is 20-plus. It's just a continuous thing they work on, the time and work they put in."

Reese Stephen said he is considering colleges and plans to keep up with wrestling while he attends.

In other matters, Richard Hord of Martins Ferry asked if the board had any comments about the announced retirement of Belmont County Common Pleas Judge Frank Fregiato, who will close out his career behind the bench June 30.

"I've known the judge for 50 years. Just a fine, fine individual who's made a positive impact on the area that's going to be felt for years," Hord said.

Dutton noted Fregiato's impact on the community both in the legal field and as a community leader. His contributions include spearheading a fundraising car, truck and bike show to benefit the Belmont County Kids Staying Clean Club aimed at drug prevention. He also operated the Belmont County Drug Court to get help and counseling to offenders struggling with addiction.

"It's been a pleasure working with him. He's been a great example to other elected officials in terms of how to serve the public," Dutton said. "It's not only his time on the bench, it's his time he's put into the community outside of his legal role."

He added Fregiato will be missed inside and outside of the courthouse.

Commissioner Jerry Echemann said Fregiato's dedication to the job has always been striking.

Commissioner Josh Meyer agreed.

"A great elected official. He put in a lot of time."