Beckley has often been called the “City of Champions.”
While that reference is due in large part to the boys basketball team, there was a stretch where the Flying Eagles were highly successful on the wrestling mat.
Truth is, however, it’s been a while.
From 1949-54, it was a golden age of wrestling for Beckley which won three state titles. During that six-year run, the Flying Eagles also brought home 17 individual state titles.
Could 2024 be the year where the Class AAA title returns to Beckley?
Fifth-year head coach Matt Osborne is not lost on the challenge ahead, but he is also convinced his team has a legitimate shot at the big hardware.
“I think we have a chance. I always say I am like Pete Rose, I would bet on us,” Osborne said with a grin. “You always look at what you can do. We are always looking at our guys and we could have eight in the semis. You never know if you win a couple matches that you maybe shouldn’t. That is what we are coaching for.”
Beckley has been creeping up on the state tournament leader-board the last three years under Osborne who was recently named the National Federation Coaches Association State Coach of the Year for 2022-23.
A ninth place finish in 2021 was followed by a sixth place finish in 2022. Last year the Flying Eagles moved up to fourth best, less than three points out second place.
The last time Beckley finished inside the top-10 three straight years was 1987-89.
Add in the fact that the Flying Eagles are coming off their third straight Region 3 crown, which included eight regional champions, it makes sense that hopes are high for the elusive title.
“I like where we are right now in trying to build to a peak. We are making sure everybody is having fun. If everybody is having fun they are not thinking and everybody is quicker. You aren’t worried about what’s in your tank and all that,” Osborne said. “We just have to make sure everybody’s weight is good. I only have a couple cutting (weight), so that is not bad.”
This year 11 wrestlers qualified for the state tournament for Beckley which is one less than the previous two years.
Numbers do not tell the full story in Beckley’s quest for the title.
“We had more qualifiers the last two years, but they were a lot less experienced,” Osborne said. “Right now I just have one freshman out there. I have a big class of juniors and one senior. So, the overall experience is much better.”
“Experience is crucial,” Osborne continued. “You can’t just educate somebody and teach them experience. They have to (learn it) and there is nothing better than experience.”
Leading the charge for the Flying Eagles are three former state champions who are juniors this year.
Jimmie “J.J.” Bailes won the title two years ago and finished runner-up last year. So far this year, Bailes has clearly been a on a mission of destruction to stand on top of the podium for a second time.
“J.J. didn’t look his best last year and was still the state runner-up. Now he looks amazing. We have not totally seen what J.J. can do because he hasn’t had to turn it on,” Osborne said. “He is very mature. He is never one that you worry about showing up. He didn’t look his best last year because he had some adversity and he was still one of the best kids in the state.”
Tyler Roark and Garrett Johnson enter the 2024 state tournament as defending state champions.
“Garrett’s big competition is out. He split with him this year and it was his only loss. We are disappointed in that,” Osborne said. “Tyler is in a really tough weight class, but he is in a really good spot to be in the finals. That big regional win was huge for him and a big confidence builder.”
Roark’s regional title came via a win over two-time defending state champion Matthew Mcafee from St. Albans.
Joining the state champion trio will be fellow regional champions, Jackson Woods, Troy Harris, Vance Neal, Jacob Reeves and Landon Jones.
Nick Dvorak and Jacob Meadows qualified for the state tournament with a regional runner-up finish, while freshman Landon Osborne was third to punch his ticket.
While Beckley has some clear state championship hopefuls, the title may rest in who has the ability to override the disappointment of a loss in the early rounds.
“Those are the toughest kids. Your best kids are your state champs usually and sometimes your second place kids might have had the easier route. That is not always the case, but most often your kids that are mentally the toughest are the kids that get third because they are disappointed,” Osborne said.
“(We flip) one match anywhere last year, we get second. That is really what we are trying to get right now. If we have a match, where we don’t think we can get, we should be wrestling back and getting third. That could be the difference.”
The state tournament starts Thursday, Feb. 29 and runs through Saturday, March 2 and will be contested at the Mountain Health Arena in Huntington.
