NEW COACHES — Seven new head coaches will be featured when the 2022-23 OVAC wrestling season gets started in just more than a month. The new coaches were unveiled during Monday night’s preseason meeting which was held inside WesBanco Arena in downtown Wheeling. They are, from left, Michael Shreves, Paden City; Bobby Richmond, St. Clairsville; Josh Cornell, Oak Glen; Jaret Aubiel, Toronto; Eric Vasey, Bellaire; Sawyer Leppla, Cambridge; and Rick Welker, Wheeling Central. - Kim North

WHEELING — While high school wrestlers — in both Ohio and West Virginia — won’t take to the mats until early December, the season actually kicked off Monday night with the annual coaches’ workshop and preseason press conference that was held inside WesBanco Arena.

Following what OVAC Ron Mauck Wrestling Championships Director Dr. Dan Doyle called a “productive” coaches’ workshop, Doyle announced that the 2023 event will be his last as director.

“I’ve been here for 15 or 16 years and I was with Ron in 2001 when he became director,” Doyle told those in attendance. “It’s been a good run, and I will still be around if the new director lets me.”

That new director is not new to the sport nor the OVAC as former Bellaire head coach and Wheeling Park Duals Director Shane Shaffer has been tabbed as Doyle’s successor.

“I appreciate all of the support,” Shaffer said. “I will be learning as much as I can during this year’s event.”

The upcoming OVAC Ron Mauck Wrestling Championships will be the first without its namesake as he passed away over the summer. Also passing away since last year’s tournament were Joe Bates and Dick Wolfe.

It was also announced that the OVAC Wrestling Committee overwhelmingly approved the institution of a Ron Mauck Scholarship.

“We’ve got the “Father of Wrestling in the Ohio Valley” George Kovalik Scholarship. How can we not do something for Ron?” Doyle said.

Doyle said he is open to any and all kinds of ideas to honor the long-time wrestling guru.

“If someone has something they think would be a good idea, get a hold of me and we’ll talk about it,” Doyle said.

The OVAC wrestling family welcomed seven new head coaches. They include Eric Vasey, Bellaire; Sawyer Leppla. Cambridge; Josh Cornell, Oak Glen; Michael Shreves, Paden City; Bobby Richmond, St. Clairsville; Jaret Aubiel, Toronto; and Rick Welker, Wheeling Central.

The OVAC Wrestling Officials always donate $500 from its golf scramble to a worthy cause. This year, it was announced by Jack Regis, the donation will go towards the Ron Mauck Scholarship.

West Liberty University head coach Danny Irwin and Wheeling University assistant coach Willie Saxton each gave a brief talk about the Hilltoppers and Cardinals, respectively. Irwin has built WLU into a national power, while Saxton is running the program as university officials are conducting a search for a new head coach.

Wheeling Park is the defending OVAC Ron Mauck Championships overall and Class 5A champion. The Patriots also won the W. Va. Class AAA state tournament, as well.

Several former Mr. Mat Award winners attended the press conference. They were Bill Hinegardner, Dr. Vince Monseau, Larry Deaton, Dr. Bill Welker, Jeff Crosier, Pete Cuffaro, Buzzy Evans and Doyle.

DATES OF NOTE

≤ The OVAC Ron Mauck Wrestling Championships will be held on Jan. 19-21 inside WesBanco Arena.

≤ The OVAC Bill Hinegardner Dual Meet Championships will take place on Wednesday, Feb. 1 for the Class 1A/2AA and Class 4A at Brooke High School, while the Class 3A and Class 5A portions will be held the following night (Thursday, Feb. 2) at the John Marshall Fieldhouse in Moundsville.

≤ The OVAC-MAC Clash of Champions is set for Tuesday, Mar. 14. It is scheduled to be hosted by a MAC school, but officials are trying to get the event back at West Liberty University where it was held last winter. The pre-match banquet will be Monday, Mar. 13 at Undo’s in Weirton.