WHEELING — A pair of wrestlers who had outstanding careers on the mat have been honored.

Dr. Bill Welker chairs a committee of five Ohio Valley wrestling dignitaries that select the honorees.

The West Virginia representatives are Dr. Dan Doyle and Ron Mauck. The Ohio representatives are Kim North and Sean Smith.

Today, the committee has the extreme pleasure of announcing the 32nd Annual “OVAC Bill Welker Wrestlers of the Year” award winners. 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 Weirton Madonna’s Alec Cook and Steubenville’s Anthony Rice.

ALEC COOK

— Cook was a three-time West Virginia A-AA place-winner

— He was a West Virginia A-AA state runner-up in 2017, he claimed state championships in 2018 and 2019;

— Cook was selected the 2018 West Virginia Class A “Most Outstanding Wrestler;”

— He was a four-time OVAC Ron Mauck Tournament place-winner and 2017 OVAC champion;

— His career record was an impressive 187-22, which included a superb 49-2 mark as a senior.

With a GPA of 3.6, Cook plans to attend Clarion (Pa.) University on a wrestling scholarship. He plans to major in Elementary Education.

— Head coach: Jamie Lesho; assistant coaches: Denny Cook and Keith Baird

ANTHONY RICE

— Rice was a three-time Ohio Division II all-state medalist (2017-4th; 2018-7th; 2019-3rd);

— He was a two-time OVAC Ron Mauck Tournament champion;

— Rice was a four-time OVAC Ron Mauck placer;

— He was a two-time Ohio District champion;

— His career record was an impressive 172-30, including a senior record of 45-4.

With a 3.56 GPA, Rice plans to attend college and wrestle, majoring in pre-dentistry.

— Head coach: Mike Blackburn; assistant coaches: Cornell Birden, Lucas Huffman and Ian Whittington.

Coaching Honors

Congratulations to Parkersburg South’s Coach Shaun Smith, his staff, and the “Patriot” wrestling team for winning the 2019 West Virginia AAA State Championships.

Also, many kudos to Jordan Williams and his Beaver Local coaching staff for their brilliant 2019 OVAC Ron Mauck Wrestling Tournament Championship.

THE BILL WELKER PAST OVAC WRESTLERS OF THE YEAR

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

2017 – Justin Allman, Parkersburg South

Greg Quinn, Shadyside

2018 – Josh Humphreys, Parkersburg South

Jashon Hubbard, Steubenville

2019 – Anthony Rice, Steubenville

Alec Cook, Weirton Madonna