File photo Philip Barbour’s Malachi Cross will wrestle for the state title in the 285-pound weight class tonight at Marshall Health Network Arena in Huntington.

HUNTINGTON — Philip Barbour’s Malachi Cross advanced to the Division II 285-pound championship match with a thrilling victory in the semifinals at state wrestling tournament Friday night at Marshall Health Network Arena.

Cross captured a 2-1 win over Robert C. Byrd’s Logan Fordyce and will face Ripley’s Carter Neal tonight in the title bout.

Cross opened the tournament with a decision victory over Weir’s Brock Hebb on Thursday night, then defeated Logan’s Jack Ball by decision in his first match on Friday afternoon.

Meanwhile, Elkins High junior Tucker Twigg defeated Ravenwood’s Matt Phelps by pin fall on Thursday night in the 144-pound weight class.

Twigg lost by pin fall to Oak Glen’s Wyatt Wolanski in his first bout on Friday but then pinned Calhoun County’s Ezra Anderson later in the day to stay alive in the tourney.

He then was eliminated by Ripley’s Mason Philyaw on Friday night by a technical fall.

Tiger sophomore Isaac Workman went 1-2 in the tourney at 285, falling to Wheeling Central’s Dominic Paesani by pin fall on Thursday night.

He then defeated Ritchie County’s Max Richie in Friday’s first match, before being eliminated by Winfield’s Tristan Tihpen by pin fall later in the day.

Elkins junior Chiron Wing lost to Midland Trail’s Jayden Roop by pin fall on Thursday evening and by pin fall to Point Pleasant’s Caden Hill on Friday in the 190-pound class.

In Division I action, Buckhannon-Upshur’s Jeremy Jett opened the tournament with a pin fall decision against Woodrow Wilson’s Brenton Seabolt at 126 pounds on Thursday night.

The senior then lost by a technical fall to Washington’s Kai Plinski on Friday afternoon and was eliminated later in the day by Spring Mills’ Landyn Lioi by a 4-2 verdict.

The girls will take to the mat at 8 a.m. today, with the finals set for later in the evening.

Area girls competing include Buckhannon-Upshur’s Angelina Winters (107), Anya Moorehead (114), Maya Garcia (145), Lylah Ketterman (165), Olivia Blonn (185) and Abby Radabaugh (235), along with Philip Barbour’s Paityn Clower (132) and Gracie Howell (152)