THE 2019 BILL WELKER OVAC WRESTLERS OF THE YEAR AWARD

THE 2019 BILL WELKER OVAC WRESTLERS OF THE YEAR AWARD

By Dr. Bill Welker
March 16, 2019

Dr. Bill Welker chairs a committee of five Ohio Valley wrestling dignitaries that select the honorees. The West Virginia representatives are Dr. Dan Doyle and Ron Mauck. The Ohio representatives are Kim North and Sean Smith.

Today, the committee has the extreme pleasure of announcing the 32nd Annual "Bill Welker OVAC Wrestlers of the Year Award Winners."

The recipients must be seniors and are chosen on the basis of personal wrestling accomplishments over their entire scholastic careers. This year's winners are Weirton Madonna's Alec Cook and Steubenville's Anthony Rice.

ALEC COOK
* Three-Time West Virginia A-AA Place-winner
* A West Virginia A-AA State Runner-Up in 2017, Alec
claimed Two State Championships in 2018 and 2019.
* 2018 West Virginia A Outstanding Wrestler
* Four-Time OVAC Place-winner and 2017 OVAC Champion
* Career Record: 187-22
* Senior Record: 49-2
* Future Plans: With a GPA of 3.6, Alec plans to attend Clarion (PA) University on a Wrestling Scholarship. His major will be Elementary Education.
* Head Coach: Jamie Lesho
* Assistant Coaches: Denny Cook and Keith Baird

ANTHONY RICE
* Three-Time Ohio State Division II All-State Medalist (2017-4th; 2018-7th; 2019-3rd)
* Two-Time Ron Mauck OVAC Champion
* Four-Time Ron Mauck OVAC Place-winner
* Two-Time Ohio District Champion
* Career Record: 172-30
* Senior Record: 45-4
* Future Plans: With a 3.56 GPA, Anthony plans to attend college and wrestle, majoring in pre-dentistry.
* Head Coach: Mike Blackburn
* Assistant Coaches: Cornell Birden, Lucas Huffman, and Ian Whittington.

Coaching Honors
Congratulations to Parkersburg South's Coach Shaun Smith, his staff, and the "Patriot" wrestling team for winning the 2019 West Virginia AAA State Championships! Also, many kudos to Jordan Williams and his Beaver Local coaching staff for their brilliant 2019 Ron Mauck OVAC Wrestling Tournament Championship.

Official's Corner
This year four OVAC referees were selected to officiate the West Virginia State Wrestling Tournament. They are Shane Kildow, Jim Copney, Tim Collins and Ken McWilliams, along with former area official Chris Diserio.

Also, two OVAC officials were selected for states in Ohio: Rich Heavilin and Ray Jefferies. Jack Regis, the local secretary of the Ohio Valley Wrestling Officials Association, was a table captain during the Ohio state championships, along with John Jefferis, Tony Vcelka, and Jim Copney. Many congratulations are extended to all these fine OVAC officials.

THE BILL WELKER PAST OVAC WRESTLERS OF THE YEAR
1988 - John Crain, Oak Glen Rick Burlenski, Bridgeport 1989 - Dave Wood, Cameron Dunyasha Yetts, Steubenville 1990 - Ed Neely, Weirton Madonna Babe Sidon, Martins Ferry 1991 - Eric Potts, Cameron Scott DeYarmon, Buckeye Local 1992 - R. C. Anderson, Cameron John Gilbeaut, Union Local 1993 - Ryan Dudas, Cameron Kelly Shields, Edison 1994 - Chad Burge, Cameron Ryan Slack, Shadyside 1995 - Jason Taylor, Wheeling Park Brian Roskovich, Bridgeport 1996 - Josh Giovengo, Bishop Donahue Eric Anderson, Bellaire St. John's 1997 - Dewitt Stanley, Brooke Sean Doyle, Buckeye Local 1998 - Chad Pratz, Linsly Travis Clark, Union Local	1999 - Alex McClung, Oak Glen Matt Salsberry, East Liverpool 2000 - Steve Ochap, Wheeling Park Scott Roth, Martins Ferry 2001 - Eric Noel, Oak Glen Cole Bowersock, Beaver Local 2002 - Derrick Sickles, Oak Glen John Tierney, Martins Ferry 2003 - Phil Bliss, Brooke David Berolino, Buckeye Local 2004 - Casey Hughes, Cameron Koel Davia, Union Local 2005 - Dustin Richey, John Marshall Clay Tucker, Martins Ferry 2006 - Rhett Northcraft, Oak Glen Willie Saxton, Buckeye Local 2007 - Ronnell Green, Wheeling Park James Myers, Indian Creek 2008 - Zach Basich, Wheeling Central Bryan Skoff, Bridgeport 2009 - Dirk Bauer, Wheeling Park Robbie Chilson, Bellaire	2010 - Max Nogay, Weirton Madonna Dylan Ice, Beaver Local 2011 - Kyle Bauer, Wheeling Park Dominic Prezzia, St. Clairsville 2012 - David Jeffrey, Parkersburg South Jeremy Border, Caldwell 2013 - Lance Hill, Parkersburg South Alex Quinn, Shadyside 2014 - Jonny Davis, Wheeling Park Kameron Rayner, Caldwell 2015 - Dallas Baciak, Wheeling Park Seth Bloor, Wellsville 2016 - Isaiah Myers, Wheeling Park Tariq Wilson, Steubenville 2017 - Justin Allman, Parkersburg South Greg Quinn, Shadyside 2018 - Josh Humphreys, Parkersburg South Jashon Hubbard, Steubenville 2019 - Anthony Rice, Steubenville Alec Cook, Weirton Madonna

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