Ex-OVAC Champ Braunlich has good reason for missing reunion

January 19, 2008

The OVAC wrestling tournament means many things to many individuals who have competed on the mats over the past 55 years, but one of those wrestling standouts will not be joining the 25 year past champions and for good reason. Fritz Braunlich, the 1983 OVAC champion at 185-pounds, has been fighting in a different spectrum than on a wrestling mat – Operation Iraqi Freedom. The Wheeling Central graduate has been using his medical skills abroad in the armed forces since 2003 as an orthopedic surgeon. “Flights come in every day with wounded soldiers that are amputated ...

OVAC finals set for 6:30 p.m.

January 19, 2008

    The finals of the 2008 Ron Mauck OVAC Wrestling Tournament are set and are as follows: 103 -- Dirk Bauer (WP) vs. Kyle Bauer (WC). 112 -- Arizona Miller (BEAV) vs. Taylor Yoder (MF). 119 -- Troy Eckleberry (OG)  vs. Mitch Thompson (BEAV). 125 -- Paul Rose (CAMB) vs. Cagney Springer (EL). 130 -- Dominic Prezzia (STC) vs. Erik Canter (BEL). 135 -- Andy Stein (ED) vs. James McFarland (BRK). 140 -- Jimmy Reisz (BEALL) vs. Robbie Chilson (BEL). 145 -- Zach Basich (WC) vs. Nick Stine (ED). 152 -- Johnny Merryman (SHAD) vs. Cody Miller (OG). 160 -- Bryan Skoff ...

Martins Ferry girls closing in on several goals

January 21, 2008

Prior to the season, this writer sat in Lady Rider head coach Dave Reasbeck’s classroom at Ferry High School conducting an interview for the season preview. He stated that one of his goals for the season was “to win something.” And he didn’t mean it had to be a state, regional or even district. The Lady Riders had been snake-bitten the past couple of seasons with injuries and it cost them in crunch time when the games mattered most, so one of his other goals was to stay healthy. Thus far, all’s been well from that perspective. On the other side of that equation, the Lady ...

Porter Brothers leave their mark at OVAC

January 21, 2008

One of the busiest times of the year for me is wrestling season and this past weekend I continued to prove that to myself sitting at the head table of the 55th annual Ron Mauck OVAC Wrestling Tournament, but for one family it was much busier. Susie Porter, mother of Zack, Aaron and Derek, sat along the railings at the WesBanco Area with her video camera in hand watching and taping her three sons compete in the three-day grind. “It is really exciting. I always make sure I am off work and ready for the OVAC,” Porter explained. “I try to video tape all their matches, ...

Park’s Waugh recovering after sustaining serious injury at OVAC

January 24, 2008

Wheeling Park High School’s Jason Waugh is recovering well and is expected to be released today after undergoing emergency surgery for a tear in his stomach lining, which caused severe internal bleeding. The Patriot wrestler finished the three-day grind at the Ron Mauck OVAC Wrestling Tournament on Saturday afternoon and told his parents he was having a slight stomach ache. Before that stomach ache took its toll on the 17-year old, he went out and defeated Beaver Local’s Jared McIntosh and Harrison Central’s Nick Risdon both by major decision to pocket a third ...

Gable Pimiento, Makin Bakin share 2007 ‘Top Dog’ honors

January 24, 2008

Top dogs. Sprint stars Gable Pimiento (Gable Kennel) and Makin Bakin (Charter Kennel) shared top honors at the Wheeling Island racetrack in 2007 as they each notched 30 victories to top the win leaderboard. Mulberry Gus (Majestic Kennel) was third with 26 victories. It was only the second time the Wheeling track had co-win leaders in its 31-year history. In 1978, Diamond’s Rose and E.Z. Ike tied for the top spot with 27 victories. Both Gable Kennel trainer Wayne Piquette and Charter Kennel trainer Rodney Cooley couldn’t be any happier with their sprinter’s achievements. ...