Wrestling tournament to stay

HUNTINGTON-- The West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission announced Thursday that the West Virginia High School Wrestling Tournament will remain in Huntington for the next three years.

Huntington and the Big Sandy Superstore Arena have hosted the statewide tournament for the last 21 years and 25 times overall and will continue to do so until 2011. Dates for 2009 are Feb. 26 to 28. If Huntington is found to be the best place for the 2012 event following the contract expiration, an additional year can be approved if both parties agree.

Gary Ray, WVSSAC executive director, said Huntington's long history of hosting the wrestling tournament and continual improvements to student-athlete activities made the city a great choice. Wheeling was in competition with Huntington to host the tournament but was unable to secure vacant dates for their WesBanco Arena. Huntington was the only city to send in its tournament bid.

"Bill Archer (the state tournament director in Huntington) and his staff have always done a great job hosting the tournament. It's run like clockwork," Ray said. "They want to make sure all the student-athletes who come to the Huntington area are treated well and leave knowing they had a great experience."

Archer, former wrestling coach at Huntington High School, said a number of entities helped ensure the tournament remained in Huntington. Those entities include Mayor David Felinton, the Huntington City Council, the Cabell County Commission, Cabell County Schools Superintendent Bill Smith, Huntington High School Principal Greg Webb and arena manager A.J. Boleski.

Ray said Huntington has continued to support the wrestling tournament and believed Archer and his coalition of supporters will make the next three tournaments enjoyable for every wrestler, coach and parent.

"The city, and everyone involved, are focused on what really matters -- the students," Ray said. "For our state and our size, I'll put up the student activities set up by Mr. Archer and his staff against anyone else's in the country."

"This is one of the best events to have in Huntington," Archer said. "People come and stay for two, three and four days for the tournament. They don't just play one game and leave like in other tournaments. They stay and participate every day of the tournament."

Felinton said the wrestling tournament has a great impact on the local economy, more so than other sporting events and tournaments. Downtown improvements, such as Pullman Square, have allowed the city to both entertain and house tournament goers.

"This event brings in more money from outside the area that is spent eating at our restaurants, sleeping in our hotels and shopping at our stores. The more money being spent in the city, the better it is for everyone," Felinton said. "We're excited to give (tournaments goers) something new every time they come down here."

Howie McCormick/The Herald-Dispatch

The stands of the Big Sandy Superstore Arena will continue to be filled every year through 2011 as the West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission announced Thursday that the state wrestling tournament is to remain here in Huntington.