A picture of Ron Mauck was placed before the head table during pre-tournament ceremonies Thursday night.

WHEELING — The 69th annual OVAC Ron Mauck Wrestling Tournament kicked off its three-day stay inside downtown Wheeling’s WesBanco Arena, but something — no, make that someone — wasn’t in attendance.

The event’s long-time director and namesake passed away over the summer.

The tournament’s program was dedicated in Ron Mauck’s name and his family was presented with a framed picture of the book’s cover prior to the tournament.

“Ron was my friend. Ron was my mentor,” Dr. Bill Welker said in his pre-tournament speech. “I knew Ron and his late wife for 50 years. I not only had the privilege of teaching their children in school, I also taught their grandchildren.”

Lapel pins were also a part of remembering Mauck. There was a moment of silence held and the Ohio Valley Wrestling Officials graciously donated a $500 check to the Ron Mauck Memorial Scholarship fund that was recently established.

Going Hi-Tech

For the first time in its existence, the OVAC Ron Mauck Tournament has gone paperless. There are no bout sheets to be handed out, it’s all done on the computer through Trackwrestling, thanks to Mike Carman.

“I guess we are hi-tech now,” Tournament Director Dr. Dan Doyle said. “We’ve wanted to do this for a long time, but we needed a strong, reliable internet and the arena’s was a little shaky, but they totally re-did all that.”

There were some glitches, but like Doyle said, they can be worked out.

“There are going to be some bumps along the way, but, so far, our people have adapted pretty quickly,” he continued. “Some of these people have worked this tournament for 20, 30 and some, even 40, years.”

Special Awards

– Junior High Coach of the Year, Seth Fluharty, Steubenville’s Harding Middle School.

– Class 1A/2A Coach of the Year, Tim Jones, Cameron.

– Class 3A Coach of the Year, Jayson Stephen, Barnesville.

– Class 4A Coach of the Year, Brandon Pendleton, Indian Creek.

– Class 5A Coach of the Year, Brian Leggett, Wheeling Park.

– Assistant Coach of the Year, T.J. Miller, Beaver Local.