photo by: Kim North

Pictured are members of the John Marshall wrestling team that will be competing Saturday in the W.Va. Class AAA State Duals at the W.Va. State Fairgrounds in Lewisburg.

MOUNDSVILLE – John Marshall will be participating in its first-ever W.Va. Class AAA State Duals on Saturday.

The Monarchs will be one of eight teams entered in the event, which will be held at the W.Va. State Fairgrounds in Lewisburg. They are the Region I runner ups and will face Beckley Woodrow Wilson in their first match.

“I’m excited for it. I’ve got a great group of seniors. It’s fitting for them to be the first John Marshall team to participate because of how hard they’ve worked during their careers,” John Marshall head coach Ryan Asbury said.

Other schools entered include Region I champion University; Region II champion Washington and runner up Mussleman; Region III champion Beckley Woodrow Wilson and runner up George Washington and Region IV champion Parkersburg South and runner up Parkersburg.

“We wrestled them and beat them in a close match at the Wheeling Park Duals but they had a couple of their hammers at Ironman that weekend, so I’m sure they will be at full strength,” Asbury said of the Flying Eagles. “I think we can compete with them.”

In qualifying, John Marshall defeated Fairmont Senior, Wheeling Park and Buckhannon-Upshur in duals this season.

“It’s a good way to start off the postseason,” Asbury noted. “It’s a kick-start into getting into the right mindset for the regional tournament.”

The Monarchs lineup will consist of Nathan Hughes (113), Clayton Pyles-Dugas (120), Mikey Logsdon (126), Carter Adkins (132), Zander Ward (138), Kaden Harding (144), Waylon Wyckoff (150), Kai John (157), Brooks Harrison (165), Maverick Lemasters (175), Gavin Myers (190), Isaac Swauger (215) and Levi Clegg (285).