“The first period is won by the best technician. The second period is won by the kid in the best shape. The third period is won by the kid with the biggest heart.” Dan Gable, U.S. Olympic Wrestler
There were 60 variations of decisions made in just the three weight classes the Yellow Jackets competed in at the 71st annual WVSSAC State Wrestling Tournament in Huntington as every match was competitive as expected and most of the other brackets were comprised primarily of decisions which is exactly what Moorefield freshman Isaac Van Meter utilized to reach the podium for the bronze medal.
“It means a lot and to know I am just a freshman there’s so much more out there I can do. It is great. This is one of the best atmospheres I have ever wrestled in here. It is so intense and everybody is rooting for you,” Moorefield Wrestling 160-lb. third place state medalist Isaac Van Meter noted.
Over the weekend, Moorefield Wrestling sent a program record three grapplers to compete in Huntington for an opportunity to become a champion or place winner with freshmen Isaac Van Meter (160-lb.) and Kevin Wetzel (138-lb.) plus sophomore Paxton Coby (120-lb.) seeking to make history.
The Yellow Jackets also brought captain and state alternate Matthew Wright along with Jackson Weese for support at the state tournament.
Arriving in Huntington to see 448 wrestlers competing in 224 matches on eight mats during the opening session state tournament inside the Big Sandy SuperStore Arena with 140 ranked wrestlers was both an exciting atmosphere and a daunting battle, yet it helped prepare the Yellow Jackets for the future with unfinished business.
Behind the third place effort from Van Meter, the Yellow Jackets finished in ninth place overall in the Class A team scoring.
“That’s awesome to be ninth place. All year we were just inside the top-10 or just outside the top-10 in the coaches poll and to come down here to the state tournament and to be ninth and earn your way is great. To be in the top-10 as a team wasn’t necessarily a goal, but we just tried to work hard and get better everyday and it’s nice to be recognized,” Moorefield Wrestling Coach T.J. Van Meter explained.
Van Meter was ranked fourth in the state in the coaches poll for the 160-lb. weight division for Class AA-A entering the state tournament.
Van Meter notched the necessary points to reach the state semifinals of the championship bracket before losing by a 5-1 decision to Fayetteville senior Trent Pullens and worked on redemption in the consolation bracket earning the third place state medal in a 12-3 major decision over East Fairmont junior Dimarrian Thomas.
“Only two people at the end of a season get to walk away with their hands raised and that is the champion and the third place finisher,” Coach Van Meter pointed out.
“Also the fifth place finisher, but nobody brags about being fifth place. A lot of times the third place winner, that is a tougher road to hoe. You’ve got to bounce back after a loss and work your way through to the podium. Not to take anything away from the champion, but you didn’t really face all the adversity as those others did having to rebound from a loss. I thought Isaac did a great job of taking that semifinal loss in stride and coming back today ready to wrestle.”
Coby and Wetzel each wrestled in two rounds, but it was more about gaining experience and developing a bond with each other.
Coby had a daunting task facing the eventual three-time state champion Cole Laya of East Fairmont in the opening round match going down in the first period in just under a minute left (:55) and the speed plus strength was too much to handle.
“It’s a crazy environment with all the wrestlers from around the state and all the big schools. It is really crazy how everybody comes together and the competition is crazy. I’m just so glad I got here,” Moorefield Wrestling sophomore Paxton Coby remarked.
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“I saw Cole Laya in the first round, he’s a three-time state champion, I believe. He is cray and really aggressive and I am grateful I got to wrestle him, because it is great experience for me. I got at him once or twice, but in the end experience really killed me. [Second match] He was really good, but I did a lot better against him. I got a takedown and even though I lost, I learned more than I would have if I had won. I was very nervous, my anxiety was through the roof just being here with the environment.”
In the consolation bracket, Coby was more successful with a couple of takedowns before Greenbrier West’s Eric Crowe made adjustments for a pin in the second period at 2:35.
Coby (8-14) was there to have fun and to learn as much as possible through each match.
Wetzel started the state tournament against Frankfort senior Austin Pumphrey, who holds the most all-time victories for the Falcons and would eventually finish his career at 57-1 as the state runner-up.
Pumphrey was quick and strong, making a power half rolling into a pin at the 1:22 mark of the initial period.
Wetzel (31-25) was bumped down to the consolation bracket for a match against Point’s Wyatt Wilson.
Wilson garnered the win with a 13-4 major decision on Friday morning, but Wetzel put up a good challenge being able to get a takedown and a reversal.
“It’s been crazy, mostly restless. I wasn’t nervous, because last year I came here and thought it was the same. It is awesome, I love it here,” Moorefield Wrestling freshman Kevin Wetzel stated.
“I was kind of nervous in my first match, because he’s really good and predicted to win state and I was just coming in so it was nerve racking for me. He out-strengthened me and held me down. The second match it got in my head that I could do this, but I found out the guy is a lot stronger than me and I couldn’t get much going against him. I did get a reversal and almost had him pinned, but he reversed me back.”
These Moorefield wrestlers weren’t hard to find in the stands as all three state qualifiers dyed their hair blond, one unique way to be noticed and was a good conversation starter for most of the friendly competition.
“[Hair dye] I just wanted to stand out as a freshman. It was pretty cool having my teammates do the same thing, it was a big bonding experience. It has been a lot of fun having these guys come down here with me,” Van Meter said.
“This tradition all started with Williamstown in the state football playoffs, so we thought we would do it for our state wrestling tournament. It is pretty cool,” Moorefield sophomore Paxton Coby added.
Further creating a bond to share, Moorefield joined other local teams from the Potomac Valley Conference including Class AA squads Petersburg, Frankfort, Keyser and Berkeley Springs sharing the same sections for cheering one another on for each match and partnering up on the mats before the sessions started.
“I thought it was great having a lot of kid from our area wrestling today and they wrestled really well this weekend. When we all get down here we all root for each other. It is almost like we are one big team,” Keyser Wrestling Coach Colin Rotruck commented.
“I am so happy to see Moorefield and Petersburg and Frankfort and all those schools like that do really well. You get to know those kids so well that they are almost part of your team, because you see them so much. You are almost as happy for them as their own coaches are, so it is real good. We were young and inexperienced, but we had a really good year.”
Every year, these teams compete at the Keyser Kiwanis Tournament to start off the season and the bond continues to grow as they become one big family.
Not sure who will get all the leftovers after dinner, but these wrestlers came hungry for wins.
“[PVC] Being a family is a great way to describe it. I remember watching Dustin Swisher and Jackson Moomau wrestle as little kids, so it was kind of special to watch them earn state titles essentially at the same time with A, AA and AAA going on at the same time,” Coach Van Meter noted.
“Dustin has always been a special kid to me, he has always been great. He’s a state champion and Hampshire’s first state champion in school history. I remember last year he was wrestling one of our first-year guys and Dustin was letting that kid work moves and letting him work moves. He doesn’t want to go out there and throttle a kid and drive him away from the sport, yet when the chips are down out here on the mat when it matters he is as tough as they come.”
There were a dozen place winners among all of these teams combined including state champions for neighboring Hampshire and Grant counties in the 195-lb. weight classes for Petersburg’s Jackson Moomau (AA) and Hampshire’s Dustin Swisher (AAA) which was the first in program history.
“It is pretty awesome and hasn’t really set in yet. It has been a good time that’s for sure. I just tried to have fun through the whole thing, that’s what it is all about. Coming from a small school and getting it done feels good. I’m glad our area did so well,” Petersburg state champion Jackson Moomau noted.
Keyser had two place winners as Steven White placed third and Shayden Daughtrey took fifth place.
Moomau led the Vikings with his second state championship, followed by Doug Morral in third place and Alec Burgess in fifth place.
“I am extremely proud. It has come a long ways since I started coaching to see the program in our area develop and grow. I can’t put it into words. It is a tremendous feeling as a coach to have been a part of those kids lives and to see them develop,” Petersburg Wrestling Coach Tony Weatherholt remarked.
Van Meter (54-3) won his first career state tournament match in a 12-1 major decision against Ritchie County senior Scotty Collins, then edged out Greenbrier West junior Colton Kessler 8-6 to enter the semifinals.
“I just pushed the pace and keep moving, because I knew I was in way better shape than anybody else. A switch was definitely a big move for me, because it gets you right out of the bottom. [Semifinal] That kid was a big, strong senior. He was more mature than me and I didn’t wrestle my best match. There’s always next year. He had a very strong grip,” Van Meter commented.
Braxton County senior Jacob Whitney lost to Van Meter by a 6-2 decision in the consolation semifinals which put Van Meter into the third place match to claim the bronze.
Keep calm and stay focused. Van Meter has a routine remaining calm and collected prior to each match no matter where it is happening whether in Moorefield or Huntington which helped him concentrate and battled with determination to earn the podium spot.
“I figured out a long time ago that Isaac and I are different people. When I was a young man, I would probably have been more the slap myself in the face, pump myself up kind of wrestler and you see wrestlers like that. Isaac is a different kid who prefers to be quiet and relaxed. He goes out there and gets ready to go, so I leave him alone. As the father-son aspect, that’s good for us. As he gets more ready to go, I get more nervous. Coach Larry [Schoonover] is great for that, he helps to calm me down. It is a special experience, but is a unique dynamic that takes a little more effort and control to keep the emotions in check,” Coach Van Meter shared.
It was a struggle to remain calm during the state championship semifinal with a berth in the title bout on the line, but Van Meter did his best despite the frustration settling in with the outmuscling by Fayetteville’s Trent Pullens for the second time this season.
Pullens was on top soon after the whistle blew, then clamped down with a leg and power half to keep Van Meter on the edge of the circle.
Van Meter wisely stayed on his side to prevent any back points or the fate of a pin, but the shifting around caused the head gear to slide into his face and timeout was called.
Moorefield coach and father TJ Van Meter made an adjustment and sent his son back out on the mat.
A reversal attempt was made by Isaac Van Meter, but the momentum caused the wrestlers to tumble out of bounds for which no points were awarded.
“It was a close, competitive match. Isaac finished his freshman season with only three losses at 54-3 and two of his three losses were to that boy all year. His losses came to senior wrestlers. Trent Pullens from Fayetteville is a class act,” Coach Van Meter discussed.
“He is a great kid and that takes the sting out of it a little bit when you know he had some great words of encouragement and complimentary words to share with Isaac. That’s always nice having a kid like that where there is mutual respect showing a lot of sportsmanship. [Leg & power half grasp] Isaac did well in that situation. Trent made the first takedown and threw a leg in looking to turn Isaac, but Isaac did a great job at that point not to give up a pin or any back points. Trent is a strong kid, but from a wrestling standpoint Isaac can definitely wrestle with him and with anybody in his class. There is a big difference between the strength of a senior and of a freshman. Isaac is doing the right things as a wrestler getting in the weight room and time will close that gap, just keep pounding and doing what you have been doing and you will be that junior and senior whooping up on others.”
In the second period, Pullens was on top and Van Meter did some spinning underneath trying to break free, then they remained tangled and flipped over before eventually going out.
There was a malfunction with the head gear once again.
Van Meter attempted a double leg takedown and was able to get Pullens to the mat, but they were both tied up in a way no points were given.
Mullens held a 3-nil lead to start the third period, then went to shoot and Pullens spread out stretching to stay firmly on top.
“I’ve always wanted to place at states and I think going from not placing at all to coming up to second place is a pretty big deal for me,” Fayetteville 160-lb. state runner-up Trent Pullens said.
“The only thing the kid [Isaac Van Meter] was lacking was the strength an upperclassman has. He’s fast and he knows what he is doing. I think he played a little head game here at states. He is a good wrestler and a good kid.”
Van Meter kept a hold on the legs as they spun around, then the head gear fell into his eyes again and coach helped adjust them as Van Meter had a look of frustration in the match.
Van Meter earned a point with an escape and went for a shot, then Pullens spun around and kept the hold for the win.
Wright was one of the first teammates to offer condolences on the loss with a giant hug in the stands and they all could be heard from the stands during the matches.
“It was great we had three state qualifiers and we also brought our alternates along. We had five Moorefield kids here at the state tournament. I wanted them to be here to experience the state tournament, it’s not like a regular tournament. It does matter. The kids are competitive and keep track of their records as you do in most sports. Sports is a numbers-driven experience for the most part and they were all keeping track of wins and losses. We were trying to preach to them all year it doesn’t matter what your record is, all that matters is those eight matches: four at regionals and four at states. Those are the matches that matter. They get it now. This is an experience, an event much like the Super Six at Wheeling Island stadium and they should all experience that, but when the lights come down and they do that walk of champions it is special,” Coach Van Meter commented.
Van Meter advanced to the state championship semifinals with a 12-1 major decision over Ritchie County senior Scotty Collins in the opening round on Thursday night using double leg takedowns and power half moves, then edged Greenbrier West junior Colton Kessler in an 8-6 decision on Friday afternoon keeping it close with reversals and various techniques.
In the consolation semifinals, Van Meter was pitted against Braxton County’s Jacob Whitney with a chance at redemption on Saturday morning.
Whitney made the first shot and Van Meter spread out, then Whitney managed to squeeze for a headlock and was on top as both went out of the circle.
Whitney went underneath, but Van Meter got the grasp and forced them out of bounds.
Van Meter went for a takedown grabbing Whitney on his side and throwing down just out of the circle as the period came to a close.
In the second period, Van Meter was on the top and locked legs with an attempt at a cross-face cradle.
Van Meter shifted around and rode on top using Whitney’s face down buying time.
In the third period, Van Meter showed he has some strength as a freshman staying on his knees and managing to flip Whitney upside-down.
Van Meter got an escape point early in third period, then Whitney managed a reversal.
Later in the match, Van Meter locked heads and was able to get an arm lock to force them to the mat together and turned Whitney on his back creating points enough for a 6-2 win.
Some of the wrestlers went into the hospitality room and grabbed some cupcakes saying it was okay, since their season was over.
The icing on the cake was still to come for Van Meter on Saturday afternoon after a relaxing time viewing the matches currently on the mats for the rest of the state.
Van Meter’s last match of the state tournament was against East Fairmont’s Dimarrian Thomas.
Thomas got an initial headlock, but Van Meter backed away and made a blast double and turned Thomas over to garner back points for a 5-0 lead in the first period of the consolation championship also known as the third place state medal match.
“That was a match I really had to push the pace, because he had just finished a tough match with the Frankfort kid and was worn out because it went into overtime. I just needed to keep pushing on him. I had a big double leg right into a power half which as a huge move for me. You’ve always got to keep your hips high. High hips win scrambles is what coach always says. I definitely wanted to place in the top-3 and I achieved that,” Van Meter concluded.
They both stood up as an escape point was awarded to Thomas, then Van Meter flipped Thomas down to the mat.
Thomas started to swat at Van Meter as the period ended which created a penalty point.
Van Meter held on the top to begin the second period with a power half.
Thomas was able to get his arm around Van Meter’s neck, but there was room to twist and escape.
Van Meter made a reversal later in the match and got in position on the back with an arm lock to secure the third place medal, 12-3.
“I am pretty daggone proud of Isaac. I’ve watched him since he was four years old. His first year wrestling he never won a match and I wondered if he’d ever make it as a wrestler,” Moorefield Wrestling assistant coach Larry Schoonover stated.
“He just kept on working and plugging along, then something snapped in him and he got a whole lot better and of course his dad has taken him all around the country wrestling. I knew coming down here it was a tall order to be a state champion, but I was pretty sure he would finish high up on that podium. I told his mom this morning he would finish third and he finished third today. I am really proud of him. We need this for our program, it helps lead all the other boys to know what they’ve got to do. They all saw down here what it takes to be on the podium. It takes something special to be on the podium and they have somebody right there with them who can lead the way. It opens the doors for us. We still haven’t seen our day, it’s still coming.”
The teammates bombarded Van Meter after the victory and family members came over to share their congratulations including little brother Garrett holding three fingers down after giving a hug.
There wasn’t any water cooler showers, but his teammates did rub his hair perhaps it is now a lucky tradition.
A selfie photo of Coach Schoonover with Van Meter and the rest of the Yellow Jackets was sent with the results to his son Wil Schoonover serving in the U.S. Army stationed in Afghanistan.
Wil was in a similar situation his freshman year at the state tournament and finished in fourth place to set a bar to reach and Van Meter has pulled up and met that challenge.
Schoonover was a place winner each year culminating in capping off his senior season with the state championship, so the Yellow Jackets have inspiration moving forward to reach goals.
“Wil was a trailblazer for us, for Moorefield High School Wrestling in a lot of ways. He was coming down here placing as a freshman and right there the bar had been set. You can come from a small school, small program and if you work hard enough and do the right things you can be here,” Coach Van Meter stated.
“Wil has always been a role model to look up to. Wil was 39-10 as a freshman, so Isaac was thinking about that as something to shoot for. Wil came down here to state and placed fourth as a freshman, so that was something to shoot for. Wil was the first one through the wall for us and will always give wrestlers from Moorefield something to work towards for years to come. As Isaac has come in as a freshman now and set a new bar, I’m sure little brother will come through and say okay, big brother got third so I want to get second or first as a freshman. Those are important things and you always need to have goals and work towards something to achieve it. It is pretty special.”
The Moorefield squad watched some of the Petersburg and Keyser matches before leaving for a meal at the local mall which turned out to be quite amusing with the smorgasbord of food on the table and adventures walking through the area.
The Yellow Jackets returned early to get a good spot at the top of the arena for the parade of champions ceremony as the arena lights were turned off and a spotlight came around as all the place winners came out on the mat on Saturday night to the theme music to the Rocky movie.
Moorefield cheered loudly for the grapplers from surrounding counties in the state championship rounds.
Typically one doesn’t see a smile on a wrestler’s face, but it certainly appears on the faces after the victories and during the podium award ceremonies as Van Meter started to grin after getting his bronze medal and a shout from the stands said wrestlers don’t smile which created a chuckle.
The Yellow Jackets have a strong future ahead and this third place state medal is just one of the building blocks.
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