Bucs garner four wins on opening day

Smithson, Hobbs, Cornett and Hurst all advance to quarters

HUNTINGTON -- Buckhannon-Upshur had four wrestlers earn wins Thursday night in opening-round action of the state tournament being held at Big Sandy Superstore Arena.

Jake Smithson, who is ranked No. 1 in the 170-pound class, advanced to today's Class AAA quarterfinals, along with junior Julius Hobbs (126), freshman Nathan Cornett (132) and sophomore Tucker Hurst (138).

Hobbs is ranked second in his respective weight class.

Falling into the consolations rounds for the Bucs were sophomore Aiden Wilson (113), junior Breagan Pearson (145), sophomore Luke Bohnsack (152), sophomore Alex Bennett (220) and senior Todd Cutlip (285).

For Philip Barbour, junior Matthew Shahan (106), junior Caleb Nuzum (113), senior Justice Arbogast (120), junior Travis Renforth (132) and senior Logan Allen (170) dropped their opening matches in Class AA-A on Thursday night.

Moorefield junior Isaac VanMeter (170) and freshman teammate Layne Spitzer (106) advanced to the quarterfinals with victories.

Along with the quarterfinals and semifinals in the championship bracket today, consolation round action will also take place.

The tournament concludes on Saturday night.