By RICK THORP

Times Leader Sports Writer

MOUNDSVILLE — Year in and year out, there’s one thing area wrestling fans can count on — John Marshall will have a big presence at the Ron Mauck OVAC Wrestling Tournament.

2016 should be no exception as Head Coach Ted Zervos has a young, but talented group, headed for downtown Wheeling this weekend for the 64th annual event.

”Competing in the OVAC is a good measuring stick on how the season is progressing,” Zervos said. ”I compare it to a midterm test. We use the results to make adjustments for the final stretch of the season.”

JM’s wrestling tradition goes back to the late 1960s when Hall of Fame mat boss Bill Hinegardner started to stitch together what would end up being one of the most dominant programs in, not only the OVAC, but West Virginia Class AAA. That tradition continued long after Hinegardner’s retirement, with Ed Dugas, Ed West and now Zervos carrying it on.

”This year, I have seen steady growth and improvement from a very young team,” Zervos said. ”I feel that their best wrestling is yet to come.”

Zervos had similar feelings last winter when his squad was comprised of mostly rookies.

”Last season’s team was made up of mostly freshmen,” he said. ”We only had two wrestlers on the podium at OVAC. I’m hoping another year of experience, hard work and maturity will translate into more place winners.”

The Monarchs are currently ranked sixth overall by www.ovaec.org and boast eight wrestlers with winning records.

Included in that group is sophomore Jordan Wood, the 120-pounder who was a runner-up last year and ended up fourth at the state tournament in Huntington. He sports a 15-6 mark.

Anthony Carman, another sophomore, also placed fourth at state last year. This year, he’s jumped out to a sparking 24-2 record at 138 pounds.

”I have high expectations for several boys this year,” Zervos said. ”Freshman Ethan Gray may be our most improved wrestler this year. He is having a fine season and knocking off some highly-ranked wrestlers along the way.”

Gray, a 106-pounder, is 21-6 and ranked eighth by ovaec.org. Victories against Wheeling Park’s Isaac Murphy, University’s Matthew Simpson and Brooke’s Dylan Reiordan highlight his resume.

The Monarchs are still awaiting the return of Chas McCool, an OVAC placer from last season who’s injured. But JM has plenty of other competitors who’ve stepped in admirably.

Sophomores Austin Love and Jacob Berisford have enjoyed solid campaigns thus far. Love, at 126, is 195, while Berisford, at 152, is 19-7.

Another sophomore, Brady Williams, sports a 17-8 record at 220 pounds.

”We have one junior, Brandon Durrah, who has fired up his offense and is putting together a fine season,” Zervos noted.

Durrah is 17-10.

”Nathan Simmons (a senior heavyweight who is 22-4) is providing great leadership and is looking forward to being on the podium Saturday night,” Zervos said.

Rounding out the Monarchs’ roster are freshmen Izac Baiczuk (113, 12-14), Brandon Harrison (132, 7-12), Dakota Sharps (145, 8-13), Izak Wiley (160, 12-15) and Austin Moore (195, 1-2).

”Making the transition from middle school to high school wrestling is developing at a faster rate this year,” Zervos sad. ”The mental aspect of a much longer season and competing against stronger, faster and more experienced kids hasn’t deterred our youthful wrestlers’ enthusiasm.

”Good balance throughout the lineup has been a positive for us this year. A large sophomore class with good leadership has also helped the team enjoy the challenges that each season holds.”