WHEELING –The 34th annual winners of “OVAC Bill Welker West Virginia and Ohio Wrestlers of the Year Award” have been announced.

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 Parkersburg South’s Gavin Quiocho and Warren High School’s Peyten Kellar.

Dr. Bill Welker and Ron Mauck are the West Virginia members on the selection committee, with Sean Smith and Kim North serving as the Ohio members.

GAVIN QUIOCHO

Quiocho is the fourth Parkersburg South wrestler to win four W.Va. state titles, following in the footsteps of David Jeffrey, Justin Allman and Josh Humphreys. He was also a three-time Region IV champion, as well as a three-time OVAC Ron Mauck Tournament placewinner.

Quiocho was a two-time PowerAde Tournament placewinner and earned a place on the 2019 Walsh Ironman awards podium.

He was 22-1 as a senior, with 13 pins. His career record was 143-30, with 86 falls.

Quiocho plans to wrestle at Glenville State College, majoring in Elementary Education.

PEYTEN KELLAR

Kellar was an Ohio Division II state champion this past winter at 160 pounds.

He was also a four-time sectional champion, a four-time district champion and a three-time all-Ohioan.

He won the 2020 OVAC Ron Mauck Tournament and was a champion in the Senior Class Nationals recently in Virginia Beach.

Kellar was unbeaten in 36 matches this past winter and finished his career at 185-10, with 144 of his matches ending in pins.

He plans to wrestle at Ohio University, majoring in Criminal Justice.