Huntington – Prior to Saturday at the state wrestling tournament, the mission was clear for Greenbrier West standout Cole Vandall.
His goal was to win the Class AA-A wrestling title in the 215 pound weight class.
Saturday afternoon, that mission took on some added significance.
When the championship session opened Saturday night, the Cavaliers trailed defending Class A state champion Cameron by five points in the team championship.
A pin for Vandall, which would garner six team points, and a loss by Adam Angel for the Dragons at 175 pounds would secure the title for Greenbrier West by the narrowest of margins.
Although the scenario was possible, it seemed highly unlikely on the surface.
Never doubt the heart of a champion.
Following Angel’s loss to Colten Caron from Independence, Vandall found the opening he needed against Noah Casto from Clay County who entered the match with a 56-4 record and was a two-time runner-up at 215.
“He got a little heavy on one foot and I picked his ankle,” Vandal said. “The next thing I know he is on his back and I just pushed as hard as I could.”
Vandall was so focused on winning the match that for a split second, the overall significance was lost in the thrill of victory.
“It is very surreal. We never expected this to happen. I went out there and just wrestled my match and I didn’t even think about (the team championship). After I pinned him, I didn’t really even realize it until I saw (Greenbrier West head coach Jeremy) Tincher’s face. It is something I will never forget.”
Greenbrier West edged Cameron 77-76 for its third state title since the Class AA and Class A divisions were split for the team championships back in 2017.
West won back-to back Class A titles in 2019 and 2020 with its first ever title coming in 2013 in the Class AA-A division.
Tincher fully believed Vandall would get the win Saturday, but he knew getting the victory by pin fall would very difficult.
“I knew Cole was going to win the match. I didn’t know if they would get in a good enough scramble for Cole to put him on his back,” Tincher said. “I knew we couldn’t turn him if Cole was just on top. If Cole was going to put him on his back, it would have to be off his feet. I didn’t know if (Casto) would engage Cole enough to get him there. “For us to put him on his back, pin him and win this thing by one point, how crazy is that?”
Some tough results for the Cavaliers in the consolation semifinals and finals earlier in the morning session Saturday set the stage for Vandall’s heroics.
“We really didn’t wrestle well enough this morning to win it. Cameron out-wrestled us this morning, they really did,” Tincher said. “They only lost one match all morning. We didn’t wrestle well and get the bonus points like we needed to.”
Needless to say, Tincher was very pleased after the dramatic outcome.
“For Cole to go out here and do that in a state championship match, you could not draw it up any better,” Tincher said. “You have to give all the glory to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He has blessed me with the best kids and the best parents and a great school. I am so blessed.”
The top-six wrestlers in each weight class earned a spot on the podium and are granted All-state honors as well.
Tucker Lilly (120) finished third, while Austin McKenzie (106) and Moses Gray (144) both wrestled fifth.
