WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. – The West Liberty wrestling team took seven of the 10 individual conference championships on Saturday evening and won its third-consecutive Mountain East Conference Wrestling Championship at the ASRC.
The Hilltoppers successfully defended their conference championship crown with 150.5 points, turning in seven first-place finishes, two second-place finishes and a third-place finish in the 10 weight classes. Cole Laya, the defending conference and national champion at 125-poinds from 2022, repeated as this year’s MEC champion in the weight class with a 17-0 technical fall over Glenville State’s Devin Easton. Following Laya’s performance, the senior was named the 2023 MEC Tournament’s Most Outstanding Wrestler.
West Liberty won the first six individual titles on Saturday evening, before adding a seven title at 184-pounds. Joining Laya on top of the podium for West Liberty was Vincent Scollo (133), Khyvon Grace (141), Jacob Simpson (149), Jamar Williams (157), Alec Cook (165) and Ty McGeary (184).
Glenville State finished second in the team standings with 123.5 points. The Pioneers placed eight wrestlers in championship finals on Saturday evening, with Hunter Delong (174) and Jared Campbell (HWT) finishing atop the podium for the Pioneers.
Alderson Broaddus’ Dwayne Johnson took home the final MEC Championship in the 197-pound weight class.
Fairmont State finished third at the event with 93.5 points, followed by Notre Dame (86.5) in fourth and Davis & Elkins (52.5) in fifth.
Mountain East Conference wrestling programs will return to action on Feb. 25 at NCAA Super Regional events.
Team Scoring
1. West Liberty – 150.5
2. Glenville State – 123.5
3. Fairmont State – 93.5
4. Notre Dame – 86.5
5. Davis & Elkins – 52.5
6. Alderson Broaddus – 46.5
7. Wheeling – 40.5
2023 MEC Tournament Most Outstanding Wrestler: Cole Laya (125, West Liberty)
Individual Champions & All-Conference
125
CHAMPION: Cole Laya (West Liberty), TF 17-0
Second Team All-MEC: Devin Easton (Glenville State)
Honorable Mention All-MEC: Nicholas Cottone (Davis & Elkins)
133
CHAMPION: Vincent Scollo (West Liberty), Dec. 6-4
Second Team All-MEC: Gavin Quiocho (Glenville State)
Honorable Mention All-MEC: Nathan Pelesky (Fairmont State)
141
CHAMPION: Khyvon Grace (West Liberty), MD 10-1
Second Team All-MEC: Parker Moore (Notre Dame)
Honorable Mention All-MEC: Caleb Everhart (Fairmont State)
149
CHAMPION: Jacob Simpson (West Liberty), Dec. 7-1
Second Team All-MEC: Ethan Hardy (Glenville State)
Honorable Mention All-MEC: Colton Stoneking (Fairmont State)
157
CHAMPION: Jamar Williams (West Liberty), Dec. 10-4
Second Team All-MEC: Tristan Pugh (Glenville State)
Honorable Mention All-MEC: Kolton Parsons (Fairmont State)
165
CHAMPION: Alec Cook (West Liberty), Dec. 3-2
Second Team All-MEC: Guy Deleonardis (Glenville State)
Honorable Mention All-MEC: Bradden Galassi (Davis & Elkins)
174
CHAMPION: Hunter Delong (Glenville State), Dec. 6-4
Second Team All-MEC: Chase Morgan (West Liberty)
Honorable Mention All-MEC: Hank Carey (Notre Dame)
184
CHAMPION: Ty McGeary (West Liberty), Dec. 4-1
Second Team All-MEC: Cole Houser (Glenville State)
Honorable Mention All-MEC: Thomas Schmitt (Notre Dame)
197
CHAMPION: Dwayne Johnson (Alderson Broaddus), Dec. 3-2
Second Team All-MEC: Marvelous Rutledge (Notre Dame)
Honorable Mention All-MEC: Drake Kendrex (West Liberty)
285 (HWT)
CHAMPION: Jared Campbell (Glenville State), Dec. 4-1
Second Team All-MEC: Francesco Borsellino (West Liberty)
Honorable Mention All-MEC: La’Ron Parks (Notre Dame)