Preston Knights Wrestling Shines at Danny Silman and Clayton Homes Tournaments

Key Points

• The Preston Knights’ girls’ wrestling team competed at the Danny Silman Tournament in Summersville, securing four podium finishes: first place for Tori Hovatter (107-pound bracket), Lilly Shafer (126 pounds), and Ava Turner (138 pounds), with third place for Payton McKinnon (107 pounds).
• The Preston girls’ squad was ranked No. 10 in the latest West Virginia Coaches Association team poll posted on wvmat.com on 9 January.
• The Preston Knights’ boys’ wrestling team participated in the Clayton Homes Winners Choice Tournament at the Fairmont Field House, achieving three podium placements: fourth place for Levi Jennings (132 pounds), fifth place for William (Tank) Lilly (138 pounds), and sixth place for Caleb Dobbins (175 pounds).
• Levi Jennings secured his 100th career win during the Winners Choice Tournament.
• Preston scored 78.5 points to finish 17th out of 29 scoring teams at the Fairmont event.
• Parkersburg won the Clayton Homes Winners Choice Tournament with 275.5 points, including five individual weight class champions.
• Top five team scores at Fairmont: Parkersburg (275.5), Huntington (193.5), Johnson Central (179.5), Bridgeport (178.5), and Cabell Midland (166.5).
• Preston Knights will next compete at the Tom Strong Duals on Friday and Saturday at Mountain Ridge High School in Frostburg, Maryland.

Fairmont, W.Va. (Preston Times) 10 January 2026 – The Preston Knights’ wrestling programme delivered a strong performance over the weekend, with the girls’ team claiming multiple titles at the Danny Silman Tournament in Summersville and the boys’ squad earning podium spots at the Clayton Homes Winners Choice Tournament at the Fairmont Field House.​

This dual success highlights the growing prowess of Preston’s wrestlers amid a competitive season in West Virginia high school circuits. The achievements come as the girls’ team holds a No. 10 ranking in the state poll.

Who Dominated the Danny Silman Tournament?

The Preston Knights’ girls’ team shone brightly at the Danny Silman Tournament held in Summersville. Four wrestlers secured podium finishes, underscoring the squad’s depth and skill.

Tori Hovatter claimed first place in the 107-pound bracket, while Lilly Shafer triumphed in the 126-pound division and Ava Turner dominated the 138-pound category, all securing gold medals. Payton McKinnon rounded out the strong showing with a third-place finish in the 107-pound bracket.

As originally reported in the Fairmont coverage, these results mark a significant milestone for the Preston girls, who recently earned No. 10 ranking in the West Virginia Coaches Association team poll published on wvmat.com on 9 January. This poll reflects coaches’ assessments across the state, positioning Preston among the elite programmes.​

What Makes the Girls’ Ranking Significant?

The No. 10 ranking, as detailed on wvmat.com, signals rising momentum for Preston’s female wrestlers in a sport gaining traction nationwide. Coaches’ polls like this one, updated periodically, weigh recent tournament outcomes heavily, and Preston’s Summersville haul clearly impressed.

No direct quotes from coaches appear in the initial Fairmont report, but the placement aligns with broader trends in West Virginia girls’ wrestling expansion. The Danny Silman event, known for drawing top regional talent, provided the perfect stage for these victories.

How Did the Boys Fare at Clayton Homes Winners Choice?

Shifting to the boys’ competition, the Preston Knights battled fiercely at the Clayton Homes Winners Choice Tournament inside the Fairmont Field House. Three wrestlers reached the podium, contributing to a team score of 78.5 points and a 17th-place finish out of 29 scoring teams.

Levi Jennings led the charge with a fourth-place finish in the 132-pound bracket. During the tournament, Jennings notched his 100th career win, a personal landmark that bolsters his reputation as a standout competitor.

William (Tank) Lilly secured fifth place at 138 pounds, while Caleb Dobbins placed sixth in the 175-pound division. These placements, though outside the top tier, demonstrate resilience against stiffer opposition.

The Fairmont Field House hosted a packed field, with Parkersburg claiming the team title on 275.5 points. Parkersburg’s dominance stemmed from five wrestlers winning their weight classes outright.

Which Teams Topped the Fairmont Standings?

Parkersburg’s victory at the Clayton Homes Winners Choice Tournament stood out, amassing 275.5 points through superior depth and those five individual champions. Huntington followed in second with 193.5 points, showcasing consistent scoring across brackets.

Johnson Central took third on 179.5 points, just ahead of Bridgeport’s 178.5. Cabell Midland rounded out the top five with 166.5 points. Preston’s 78.5, good for 17th, reflects a solid but not championship-calibre outing against these powerhouses.

As per the tournament recap, these scores highlight the competitive landscape of West Virginia boys’ wrestling, where multi-state teams like Johnson Central (Kentucky-based) add extra challenge.

Why Did Parkersburg Excel?

Parkersburg’s five weight-class wins provided the margin for their 275.5-point haul, far surpassing runner-up Huntington. No individual wrestler names from Parkersburg appear in the Preston-focused report, but their sweep across brackets underscores tactical superiority.

This triumph positions Parkersburg as a frontrunner heading into duals and regionals. Preston’s boys, despite the 17th-place team result, gained valuable experience.

What Is Levi Jennings’ 100th Win Milestone?

Levi Jennings’ achievement of 100 career wins came during his fourth-place run at 132 pounds in Fairmont. This milestone, reached amid the Clayton Homes event, cements Jennings as a cornerstone of Preston’s programme.

Career win totals in high school wrestling track a wrestler’s entire tenure, often spanning three to four years. Jennings’ mark places him among elite peers in West Virginia, though exact state rankings remain unstated in available coverage.

The Fairmont report notes this without further detail from Jennings himself, but such feats typically fuel scholarship pursuits and leadership roles.

When and Where Is Preston’s Next Competition?

Preston Knights gear up for the Tom Strong Duals, scheduled for Friday and Saturday at Mountain Ridge High School in Frostburg, Maryland. This cross-border event pits them against regional foes in a dual-meet format.

Frostburg’s proximity allows easy travel from West Virginia, making it a logical next step. Duals emphasise team scoring over individual brackets, testing Preston’s depth anew.

No opponent list emerges from current reports, but the Tom Strong Duals historically feature Maryland and West Virginia squads. Success here could elevate Preston’s rankings further.

How Does This Fit the Season Schedule?

January marks peak tournament season for high school wrestling in the region, with events like Danny Silman and Clayton Homes feeding into state qualifiers. Preston’s busy slate – Summersville, Fairmont, now Frostburg – builds momentum toward playoffs.

The girls’ No. 10 poll position, post-9 January, factors in these results. Boys’ efforts, while lower-ranked, contribute to programme prestige.

Broader Context of Preston’s Wrestling Rise

Preston Knights’ weekend hauls reflect a programme on the ascent. Girls’ three golds in Summersville signal title-contender potential, bolstered by that WVCA poll nod on wvmat.com.

Boys’ podium trio, plus Jennings’ century mark, adds grit despite the 17th-place team score. Against winners like Parkersburg, every point counts.

West Virginia wrestling, per state coaches’ polls, thrives on such tournaments. Preston’s dual-team strength – girls and boys competing separately yet successfully – sets them apart.

No coach statements appear in the Fairmont origin piece, but implied pride radiates through the recap. As journalist with a decade in sports reporting, these outings often preview postseason runs.

The Tom Strong Duals loom as the next proving ground, where Preston could build on this solid foundation.