The OVAC Wrestling Coaches Association recognizes the Ohio and West Virginia Wrestlers of the Year at the end of every mat sport season.

Dr. Bill Welker, who conceived and initiated the award in 1988, chairs a committee of five Ohio Valley wrestling dignitaries that selects the honorees. The West Virginia representatives are Bill Hinegardner and Ron Mauck. The Ohio representatives are Dick Wolf and Dr. Dan Doyle.

Today, the committee has the extreme pleasure of announcing the 29th Annual “OVAC Ohio and West Virginia Wrestlers of the Year.”

The recipients must be seniors and are chosen on the basis of personal wrestling accomplishments over their entire scholastic careers. This year’s winners are Steubenville’s Tariq Wilson and Isaiah Myers of Wheeling Park.

TARIQ WILSON

* Three-Time Ohio State Division II Silver Medalist (2014-15-16)

* Four-Time Ron Mauck OVAC Champion (2013-14-15-16)

* 2016 Bierkortte Award Winner

* Three-Time District Champion

* 2015 126-pound Ohio Ironman Champion

* Career Record: 198-11

* Senior Record: 51-1

* Career Plans: Wrestling Scholarship to North Carolina State.

* Head Coach: Mike Blackburn

* Assistant Coaches: Cornell Birben, Lucas Huffman, Tom Goff, Jesse Hubbard, and Seth Fluharty

ISAIAH MYERS

* 2016 West Virginia AAA State Champion at 220 pounds

* Two-Time State Placewinner

* Three-Time Regional Placewinner

* Three-Time Ron Mauck OVAC Placewinner

* Career Record: 110-40

* Senior Record: 30-6

* Isaiah Myers was also starting Defensive End on Wheeling Park’s State Championship Football Team

* Career Plans: Isaiah plans to attend college and play football

* Head Coach: Clay Tucker

* Assistant Coaches: Jack Doyle and Justin Goneau

Coaching Honors

Congratulations to Parkersburg South’s Coach Shaun Smith, his staff, and the “Patriot” wrestling team for winning the 2016 Ron Mauck OVAC Tournament and the 2016 West Virginia AAA State Championship

Official’s Corner

This year four OVAC referees were selected to officiate the West Virginia State Wrestling Tournament. They are Jim Copney, Ed “Buzz” Evans, Ray Marling, and Ken McWilliams in the Mountain State, along with former area official Chris Diserio.

Also, three OVAC officials Jack Regis, Shane Kildow, and Rich Heavilin – officiated at the Ohio State Championships in Columbus this year.

Many congratulations are extended to all seven of these fine OVAC officials.

1988 John Crain, Oak Glen

Rick Burlenski, Bridgeport

1989 Dave Wood, Cameron

Dunyasha Yetts, Steubenville

1990 Ed Neely, Weirton Madonna

Babe Sidon, Martins Ferry

1991 Eric Potts, Cameron

Scott DeYarmon, Buckeye Local

1992 R. C. Anderson, Cameron

John Gilbeaut, Union Local

1993 Ryan Dudas, Cameron

Kelly Shields, Edison

1994 Chad Burge, Cameron

Ryan Slack, Shadyside

1995 Jason Taylor, Wheeling Park

Brian Roskovich, Bridgeport

1996 Josh Giovengo, Bishop Donahue

Eric Anderson, Bellaire St. John’s

1997 Dewitt Stanley, Brooke

Sean Doyle, Buckeye Local

1998 Chad Pratz, Linsly

Travis Clark, Union Local

1999 Alex McClung, Oak Glen

Matt Salsberry, East Liverpool

2000 Steve Ochap, Wheeling Park

Scott Roth, Martins Ferry

2001 Eric Noel, Oak Glen

Cole Bowersock, Beaver Local

2002 Derrick Sickles, Oak Glen

John Tierney, Martins Ferry

2003 Phil Bliss, Brooke

David Berolino, Buckeye Local

2004 Casey Hughes, Cameron

Koel Davia, Union Local

2005 Dustin Richey, John Marshall

Clay Tucker, Martins Ferry

2006 Rhett Northcraft, Oak Glen

Willie Saxton, Buckeye Local

2007 Ronnell Green, Wheeling Park

James Myers, Indian Creek

2008 Zach Basich, Wheeling Central

Bryan Skoff, Bridgeport

2009 Dirk Bauer, Wheeling Park

Robbie Chilson, Bellaire

2010 Max Nogay, Weirton Madonna

Dylan Ice, Beaver Local

2011 Kyle Bauer, Wheeling Park

Dominic Prezzia, St. Clairsville

2012 David Jeffrey, Parkersburg South

Jeremy Border, Caldwell

2013 Lance Hill, Parkersburg South

Alex Quinn, Shadyside

2014 Jonny Davis, Wheeling Park

Kameron Rayner, Caldwell

2015 Dallas Baciak, Wheeling Park

Seth Bloor, Wellsville

2016 Isaiah Myers, Wheeling Park

Tariq Wilson, Steubenville