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Maysville's Smitley earns D-I opportunity at WVU

brandon hannahs, zanesville times recorder
·2 min read
Maysville’s Colton Smitley competed in a 126 pound match on Day 2 of the 85th annual OHSAA state wrestling tournament at Schottenstein Center in March. Smitley signed his letter of intent to be a preferred walk-on with West Virginia University.
Maysville’s Colton Smitley competed in a 126 pound match on Day 2 of the 85th annual OHSAA state wrestling tournament at Schottenstein Center in March. Smitley signed his letter of intent to be a preferred walk-on with West Virginia University.

NEWTON TOWNSHIP — Wrestling is a passion that drives Colton Smitley.

It's why the Maysville senior, who failed to reach the high school state tournament as a junior, refocused his efforts last summer.

The results showed this past winter, as Smitley became Maysville's all-time wins leader and finished seventh in the state at 126 pounds.

His talent was noticed by several colleges, including West Virginia University where Smitley signed his letter of intent to be a preferred walk-on with the Mountaineers on Thursday.

"I put the work in during the offseason and worked hard in practice," Smitley said. "I had a disappointing weekend at districts as a junior so I went to different places and looked for good competition. I went to the West Liberty wrestling camp and Ohio State to learn from four-time NCAA National Champion Logan Stieber. I wanted to have a chance to wrestle Division I, and everything paid off."

Maysville senior Colton Smitley (middle) signed his letter of intent to be a preferred walk-on at West Virginia.
Maysville senior Colton Smitley (middle) signed his letter of intent to be a preferred walk-on at West Virginia.

Smitley, who finished the season 45-6, has been wrestling since second grade and wasn't ready to walk away from the sport. Ohio University, West Liberty and Heidelberg were among other places looking to bring Smitley in, but a visit to West Virginia, a member of the Big 12 Conference, in April sold him on the program.

"They have great facilities and an awesome atmosphere," he said. "The coaches were awesome and showed they wanted me, and the team felt like a family.

"I know the competition will be tough, and it's crazy that I'll get a chance to wrestle some of the best in the country."

Smitley will study Business with a focus on Entrepreneurial Studies. He thanked his parents, Erin and Brent Smitley, for everything they've done during his career and also appreciated the support of his trainer Shaun Bridwell and high school coaches, Lew Nicholas and Shawn Connors.

"My parents have done so much and encouraged me to keep going," Smitley said. "Shaun got me in the weight room, and that really helped me this year, and Lew and Shawn have been big supporters and taught me a lot. They've all been behind me and are the main reasons I've earned this opportunity."

bhannahs@gannett.com

Twitter: @brandonhannahs

This article originally appeared on Zanesville Times Recorder: Maysville's Smitley earns D-I opportunity at WVU