Parkinson and Bennett win titles

Berkeley Springs High School's Wrestling Team ended the regular season on Saturday, February 4, at the Potomac Valley Conference Championship in Keyser.

The Indians finished fifth in the team race, won by Washington, but placed all seven entrants in the top four of their respective weight classifications.

Leading the way was Matt Parkinson and Tory Bennett. Parkinson defeated Ashby Heath of Washington, 8-2, to win the 220 pound title, while improving his overall record to 46-5.

"Matt had a good match in the finals," said Berkeley Springs Coach Darrell Bennett. “The last time they met Matt squeaked out a one-point decision. Today Matt was aggressive on his feet and wrestled an intelligent match."

Joining Parkinson in the winners circle was Bennett, who captured the 182 pound title with a convincing, 14-1, major decision over Jefferson's Keynan Williams. With the win Bennett improved to 56-1 on the year.

"Tory did what he needed to do," said Coach Bennett. “He controlled the match from start to finish."

Josh Capps (132), Kyle Shambaugh (195) and CJ Gosey (285) each placed second.

Capps fell to Washington's Gunnar Wilt, Shambuagh lost to Micah Skubon, also from Washington, while Josh Harwood from Martinsburg defeated Gosey in the 285 pound championship match.

CJ Capps placed third at 113, beating Chris Brindle from Hedgesville, 6-1, in the consolation finals and Billy Wilson took fourth after losing, 8-6, to Keyser's Garrett Crites in the 120 pound consolation final.

"It was a good tune-up for the regional tournament," Bennett said. “We have some work to do, but we are relatively healthy and have an extra week to prepare."

The Indians, idle this week, will wrestle in the Class AA, Region II Championships in Flatwoods on February 17 and 18.