WHS head coach Kelly Tolliver earned coach of the year honors in the American Division as the Hurricane won their first SBAAC wrestling championship.

Tolliver’s coaching staff includes Isaac Bray, Ryan Stuckey, Brad Bean, Zach Johnson and Gary Van Pelt at the high school and Tim Wiederhold and Alantino Keefer at the middle school.

Returning league champions include Thane McCoy, Thad Stuckey and Brett Brooks, who also qualified for the state tournament. Carson Hibbs also was a state qualifier for the Hurricane.

Other returning wrestlers, among the 10 on the team, include Gage Davis, Brayden Smith and PJ McKnight.

In his ninth season as head coach, Tolliver said there a “great” incoming freshman class and the coaches “are excited to see them in action this season.”

Alex Hudson was a district qualifier last season but has graduated.

Tolliver said the seniors on the team have done an nice job pushing the guys in conditioning and encouraging each other.

“They have stayed positive and are looking forward to defending their league title this year,” said Tolliver.

The WHS coach said conditioning and technique are always the focal point of workouts for his Hurricane.

“The team has put in work over the summer and I believe they will see the dividends,” he said. “Our team is focusing on making it to the state dual finals. As individuals we are always in the hunt for a state champion.”