MSAC wrestling championship up for grabs

It's not often a defending state champion is not among thefavorites in its own conference tournament.

That's the case, however, with this weekend's Mountain StateAthletic Conference Wrestling Tournament at George Washington High.

Perennial power Parkersburg won last year's Class AAA statetitle, but the Big Reds have gradually slipped this season from thelist of West Virginia's elite teams.

Four MSAC schools are ranked in the top 10 in the latest WestVirginia Coaches Association/WVmat.com poll. Parkersburg isn't oneof them.

Ripley is No. 4, followed by GW at No. 8, Cabell Midland at No. 9and Huntington at No. 10.

Those schools likely will battle …