The Silver Anniversary of the “Clash of Champions” will take place Tuesday night at Brooke High School in Wellsburg. The all-star match pits wrestlers from the Ohio Valley Athletic Conference against the best from the Midwest Athletic Conference in western Pennsylvania.

Action starts at 7.

Thirteen of the best senior OVAC All Stars will take to the mat for one final high school bout. Included in that number are five OVAC Ron Mauck Tournament champions and a trio of runnerups.

Standing atop the podium last January were Wheeling Park’s Andrew Shelek (138); Oak Glen’s Peyton Hall (152), Steubenville’s David Tuttle (182), Parkersburg South’s Braxton Amos (220) and Shenandoah’s Easton Hitchens (285).

Finishing on the second step were University’s Jace Stockett (126), Beaver Local’s Skyler Lasure (160) and Steubenville’s Keith Bodnar (195).

Hall and Amos scripted outstanding prep careers Hall, a WVU recruit, recently captured his fourth W.Va. state championship, thus becoming Oak Glen’s first four-timer after five others had won three. Amos, who went an astounding 162-0 during his career in Wood County, won his third title the same weekend. He is committed to the University of Wisconsin.

The OVAC squad is completed with Brooke’s Danny Yost (113) and Max Camilletti (170); Wellsville’s Jason Tice (120); Weir’s Wyatt Conley (132); and Southern Local’s Dylan Milhoan (145).

The OVAC holds a commanding 17-7 advantage in the series. The two squads have split the last two matches, with the MAC prevailing 40-22 two years ago at Brooke, while the OVAC won 43-14 last year at West Allegheny High School.

A pre-banquet dinner will be held Monday night at Undo’s on Three Springs drive in Weirton. Food will be served at 7.

Wheeling Park assistant coach Danny Doyle is the event’s contact person.

Potts Sighting

Former Cameron High mat standout Eric Potts, son of legendary coach Jim Potts, is an assistant coach at Columbus DeSales this season. His son, Cole, was a district champion last year and finished fourth in Division II at 285. He is currently entered in this weekend’s state tournament with a 38-3 record and has received a full football scholarship to James Madison University.

Amos Bumping Up

Amos will compete Saturday during the 46th annual Pittsburgh Wrestling Classic, formerly known as the Dapper Dan Classic and dubbed as “The Rose Bowl of Wrestling,” which is the most prestigious high school all-star wrestling meets in the United States.

Amos will suit up for the United States All-Star Team that will compete against the reigning Pennsylvania state champs, who were crowned just last week, in the ‘showcase’ dual match at 6.

The preliminary match, which starts at 4, pits the best wrestlers from Western Pennsylvania, or the “WPIAL,” against state champions Maryland.

Amos, who is ranked No. 1 at 220, is bumping up to wrestle the top-rated 285-pounder in the nation in Sun Valley High School’s Hunter Catka (134-9) who is a two-time Pa. state champion.

The event is being staged inside the Fitzgerald Field House on the campus of the University of Pittsburgh.

Ohio State Tournament

I will be venturing to Columbus this weekend for a three-day stay, which I hope is relaxing and exciting at the same time. Is that even possible?

While in the Buckeye State capital, I will also be in search of my first state champion. I’ve watched more than a handful of Eastern Ohio athletes come up a bit short in the title tilts in Division II and III. Shadyside’s Greg Quinn. Martins Ferry’s Dalton Hoover. The Steubenville tandem of Jashon Hubbard and Tyler Ely. Beaver Local’s Cole McComas has been the bridesmaid for three straight years. Let’s hope a fourth time becomes his lucky charm.