HEADED TO STATES — Brooke’s Landon Burdine works for an escape on his way to winning the 132-pound title at Saturday’s regional tournament. - Kim North

WHEELING — University rolled to another W.Va. Division I, Region I high school wrestling championship Saturday afternoon inside Wheeling Park High School’s ‘Palace on the Hill’ high atop the Friendly City. The Hawks, the defending state champions, amassed 290.5 points, which was 90 ahead of second-place Bridgeport.

Locally, 21 individuals punched their tickets to state by placing in the top four of their respective weight classes. John Marshall, who finished third in the team race with 181.5, led the way 11, including champions in freshman Milo Ward (106) and sophomore Nathan Hughes (120). Brooke and Wheeling Park each have five, with the Bruins’ junior Landon Burdine (132) claiming a No. 1 finish.

Brooke head coach Doug Sizemore was also pleased with his team’s performance. The Bruins are sending the most wrestlers to state in six years.

Burdine’s third time with University’s Colton Gillespie turned into a charm as he rallied from a 4-1 deficit after two periods to post a 6-5 nail-biter.

“Landon wrestled Gillespie twice earlier this season, losing both times including the OVAC Ron Mauck finals, but he wrestled a good match today against a tough kid and got the win,” Sizemore said. “We had him where we wanted him at the end.”

Burdine now has 37 wins this season and 108 for his career.

Also qualifying for Brooke were Anthony Maple (113, 2nd); Gannen Swickard (120, 4th); Dominic White (190, 4th); and Hemed Allen (285, 4th).