By BUBBA KAPRAL

Executive Sports Editor

BELLAIRE — Andrew “Chick” LaMotte is a well-respected figure in Ohio Valley wrestling circles.

The veteran coach is in his first year as head coach of the Bellaire Big Reds. He is no stranger to the Big Reds mat program as he served as Justin Myers’ assistant last winter.

Lamotte, 45, features a wealth of wrestling experience, much of it based on Guernsey Street. He previously assisted Rick Burlenski with the Big Reds’ grapplers.

LaMotte had a successful stint as head coach at St. John Central. He was also an assistant with the Fighting Irish when his dad was head coach.

LaMotte enjoyed a sparkling mat career for his uncle Dave LaMotte at Bridgeport High. He finished fourth in the state tournament at 140 pounds.

Early returns have LaMotte pointing the Big Reds’ program in the right direction as youth is being served in a successful way.

“Things are going real well. The team is starting to come around,” LaMotte said. “Our numbers are good. We have 18 wrestlers, mostly freshmen and sophomores. We have only one senior and two juniors. I am really excited about this program.”

LaMotte has taken his youthful group to quality tournaments at Union Local, Barnesville and Ravenswood. The Big Reds have also competed in several duals and most recently competed in the Buckeye 8 Championships.

LaMotte harbors hopes his matmen can challenge for the OVAC 3A dual championship.

Bellaire boasts a stellar 106-pounder in Joseph Bonfini. Just a sophomore, he has compiled a 12-2 mark thus far. He captured titles in the Union Local and Ravenswood invitationals, being named MVP in the latter event.

“Joseph is having a very good season. He is a hard worker,” LaMotte said. “He is a talented wrestler with a bright future.”

He was a district qualifier as a frosh.

The Big Reds have no 113-pounder.

Freshman Jake Stolz is an up-and-comer at 120 pounds. He just recently broke into the starting lineup, compiling a 4-3 mark.

Isiah Wilhelm is an improving 126-pounder. He has won five of 11 decisions.

Junior Clay Moore brings experience to the Bellaire lineup. The battle-tested 132-pounder is 11-5 on the season with a fifth place finish to his credit at Ravenswood.

Junior Brett Berberich is Moore’s understudy.

LaMotte has another promising grappler at 138 pounds. Sophomore Griffin Heatherington is 8-5 on the campaign. He finished third at the Ravenswood Invitational.

Sophomore Trenton Klempa is the backup at 138. He has split four matches this year.

Freshman Cody Albaugh is showing improvement as the season progresses. He is 6-6, including a fourth-place finish at Ravenswood.

LaMotte has a trio of wrestlers at 152 pounds.

Nick Beckett is the starter. The sophomore has won four bouts this season. His backups are sophomore Noah Cusick and freshman Mason Beveridge.

Chance Darrah possesses much potential at 160 pounds. The sophomore is 5-4 so far and placed third in the Ravenswood event.

Freshman Timothy Bell is Bellaire’s 170-pounder.

The Big Reds incurred a tough blow when Trace Sechrest injured his knee that required surgery. The rugged freshman was a force at 182 pounds after enjoying a very fine football campaign.

Bellaire leaves the 195-pound class open.

Freshman Caden Honeywell is a work in progress at 220 pounds.

Senior Todd Morris rounds out the lineup at heavyweight. Morris, who enjoyed a fine season at tackle for Coach Mark Spigarelli’s playoff-qualifying Reds, just recently became a mat starter, winning his lone match of the year.

Sophomore Hayden Lowery and freshman Dalton Garloch are the heavyweight understudies.

“I am proud of how are younger wrestlers have developed. We have shown much progress from day one,” LaMotte said. “The future really looks good with this program. We are loaded with underclassmen on the roster and we have 55 youngsters involved with our PeeWee program.

“The OVAC Tournament is always one of the highlights of the season, along with the post-season,” he added. “We have some kids who have a chance to perform well this weekend in the OVAC”

Bellaire will have a busy slate after the OVAC event. The Big Reds’ schedule includes a triangular with Shenandoah and St. Clairsville, a dual with Shadyside, the Buckeye Local Panther Classic and a dual with Martins Ferry before the post-season tournaments commence.

LaMotte is being assisted by former River High grappler Payden Stewart.