Justin Matthew “Bucky” Thomas, a six year old Short Line student, helped make history recently by becoming the school’s youngest and first-ever state wrestling champion.

Thomas wrestled in the 5/6 year old category 35 lb. weight class, in which he dominated in his first year of wrestling.

He came on strong and ended just as impressive, recording a 40-2 season in the 35 lb. weight division. He won first place in the West Virginia Youth Wrestling Championships held at Fairmont State University on March 14.

Thomas’ new and special talent landed him with seven first place trophies, two of which were in the first annual Short Line Invitational Youth Tournament. Another trophy was at the annual Ripley Rumble and another one was from the fifth annual Roy Michael Classic. In addition, he secured top spots at the WesBanco Area Youth Wrestling Classic and at the 2009 Youth State Wrestling Championship.

He also brought home three second place trophies and two first place finishes in the 40 lb. weight division at the Fawl Brawl, 2009 Mentor Classic Wrestling Tournament and the 32nd West Virginia Junior State Wrestling Championships.

He finished the wrestling season with an overall 42-6 record, with four of the his six losses coming in a higher weight division. He went on to the WesBanco Arena, winning two first place medals in the 35 lb. weight class, then to North Marion where he won first and second place medals in the 40 lb. weight class.

Justin would like to give a very special thank you to Ronald “Hit-Man” Morgan, Chuckie Roberts, JD Dallison, Pat Nice, and his father, Bill Thomas, for their time, teaching, love, support, and encouragement.

He also sends a special thanks and a high five to fellow wrestlers Michael Passey, Hunter Woods, and Wyatt Dallison for working with him and teaching him some of the ropes.

*****

In only its second season, Short Line Youth Wrestling has crowned three state champions: Caleb Nice, 9/10 105 lbs.; Sammy Roberts, 11/12, 95 lbs.; and Justin Thomas, 5/6, 35 lbs.; all made history by becoming Short Line’s first-ever state wrestling champions.

Nice and Thomas both finished off an impressive season by winning at the West Virginia Youth State Wrestling Championships. Other Short Line wrestlers who placed in the championships were: Nathan Arnolds, third; Clay Adams, fourth; Kage Rohde, fourth; and Luke Martin, sixth.

The championships were held at Fairmont State University on March 14. Roberts finished her season off by winning at the eighth annual West Virginia Girls State Wrestling Tournament on March 15 in Elizabeth.

In addition, Short Line Wrestling placed four wrestlers the week before at the 32nd West Virginia Junior State Tournament in Parkersburg. They were Justin Thomas, second; Caleb Nice, third; Wyatt Dallison, fourth; and Chuck Roberts, sixth.