The Fayette Tribune, Oak Hill, W.Va. - Local youth program gains steam in ’08

Fri, May 09 2008

Published: March 12, 2008 04:25 pm

Local youth program gains steam in ’08

By Steve Keenan
Sports Editor

OAK HILL — When teen-agers like Ryan Fell, Frankie Treadway or Braden Evans compete at the state high school wrestling tournament each winter for Oak Hill High School, chances are pretty good they’ve learned many of their mat skills in the Oak Hill Youth Wrestling program.

Except for some individuals competing in a couple of tournaments in the next few weeks, OHYW has completed its 2007-08 season. And what a season it was.

The program, with 39 members, had its biggest participation level yet, says head coach Brian Miller. And the team put up some solid showings, including winning the team championship in the Southern Coalfields Conference and placing seven competitors, including their first-ever state junior champion, at the West Virginia Jr. States in Beckley.

“Ryan Fell (a 215-pound state high school champion in 2006-07) was one of the first kids when Alan (Fell) started the program in 2000,” said Miller. “Guys like him and Frankie Treadway, this is where they got their start.

“We’re really excited with the progress we’ve made. It’s been a long time coming. We had a real successful season this year. It’s been a goal of ours to win the Southern Coalfields.”

- - -

Oak Hill Youth Wrestling is Fayette County’s only youth program and welcomes any county residents. Others helping Miller have included assistant coach Dave Vincent, Greg Kump and Derek Tyree.

The organization will stage its season-ending banquet at 6:30 p.m. on March 13 at the Lewis Community Center.

Sign-ups for the 2008-09 season will be announced in late October. Registration for children ages 5 to 12 will be accepted through Thanksgiving, and practice will begin the following week. Practice is held on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m.

“We had the biggest group of kids we’ve ever had, but we’re hoping for a bigger group next year,” Miller said.

For more information about youth wrestling, visit www.wvmat or contact Miller at 877-5868.

— E-mail: skeenan@register-herald.com

• Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.

Photos

Placing participants for Oak Hill Youth Wrestling and Collins Middle School at the recent West Virginia Jr. States at Beckley were Mason Kump, front left, OHYW, 5-6 Hwt., first; Sammy Pullens, OHYW, 5-6 75 lb., third; Christopher Tincher, OHYW, 7-8 Hwt., third; and Hunter Pullens, OHYW, 11-12 105 lb., second; and Mark Williams, back left, CMS, 11-12 73 lb., fourth; Matt Jones, CMS, 11-12 65 lb., sixth; and Tyler Ellison, OHYW, 5-6 75 lb., sixth. Not pictured were A.J. Murdock, OHYW, 9-10 Hwt., fourth; and Michael Willett, OHYW, 11-12 155 lb., sixth. Also participating at states were: CMS — 13-15 Div., Tyler McKinney, James Banks; OHYW — 5-6 Div., Kaleb Lowe, Noah Casto; 7-8 Div., Trent Pullens, Mackenzie Miller, Herbie Meador, Mathew McKinney, Conner Gibson; 9-10 Div., Trent Casto, Jashawn Balancier; and 11-12 Div., Tyler Painter, Greg Caldwell, Bailey Bowles, Dakota Miller. Submitted photo/The Fayette Tribune (Click for larger image)