HUNTINGTON – Thirty-one northern panhandle wrestlers are still alive for a W.Va. championship after the first night of the annual state tournament inside Mountain Health Network Arena.

A dozen of those individuals are in Division I, with John Marshall sending six to Friday’s quarterfinals. Wheeling Park has four and Brooke a pair.

Winning for the Monarchs were Milo Ward (106), Nathan Hughes (120), Clayton Pyles-Dugas (126), Kai Johnson (165), Spencer South (175) and JT Morris (190).

Collecting victories for the Patriots were Hunter Flanegin (106), Jake Carman (150), Nate Hodge (157) and Issac Sands (165).

Bruins winners were Anthony Maple (113) and Landon Burdine (132).

University leads the ‘Big School’ division with 47 points. Parkersburg is second with 39.5, while John Marshall stands in 9th with 17.5. Wheeling Park is 12th with 13.5.

In Division II, Oak Glen leads the local contingent with six winners, one more than Hancock County rival Weir and two more than Cameron. Wheeling Central had a trio of winners and Tyler Consolidated one.

The Golden Bears having their hands raised were Jordan Tomsic (106), Kaleb Eckleberry (126), Kayden Spencer (138), Wyatt Wolanski (144), Paxton Ware (165) and Noah Schmidt (215).

Red Riders advancing included Chad Artman (126), Jonathan Rhodes (150), Joshua DeFelice (165), Hunter Streng (175) and Ben Bryan (190).

Winning for the Dragons were Maverick Lilley (106), Braxton Birch (132), Talen Brown (157) and Eli Tedrow (165).

Maroon Knights moving forward were Talique Marshall (113), Wyatt Brady (175) and Dominic Paesani (185).

The lone Silver Knight to have his hand raised was Gideon Winfrey (150).

Ripley holds down the top spot in the ‘Small School’ division with 38 points. Independence is second with 27, while Oak Glen, Weir and Cameron are sixth, seventh and eighth, respectively, with 19, 17.5 and 16.

Action resumes Friday at 11:30 with championship quarterfinal and first- and second-round consolation matches.

The championship semifinals are scheduled for 7:30 p.m., along third-round consolation bouts.