Expectations Don’t Change at Wheeling Park

March 17, 2017

By JOSH STROPE WHEELING — After three straight appearances in the state baseball tournament, Wheeling Park knows it will be the hunted. And that is a role Coach Mike McLeod relishes. The Patriots won’t be as senior-laden as in years past, but the goal is still the same — Appalachian Power Park in Charleston. “We had a senior group that raised this program and set the bar kind of high,” McLeod said. “We are going to be young, but I tell everyone every year, I will take our group over anyone. “We are not starting from scratch, we have some good players with some ...

Track Teams at Park Are Young

March 17, 2017

By KYLE LUTZ WHEELING — For both the Wheeling Park boys’ and girls’ track teams, there are going to be plenty of new faces and the amount of upperclassmen is limited on each side. The boys graduated seven of the nine state qualifiers from last year’s squad including Richard Cummings, a two-time High Point winner at the meet. He won state titles in the 110 hurdles, 300 hurdles, shuttles and was a member of the 4x100 relay team. Jamez Coles and Elijah Bell were also on the winning 4x100 team. Timmy Goldbaugh and Jake Pedelose were also members on the shuttles. The other ...

Durkin Hopes to Add Title

March 17, 2017

By JOSH STROPE WHEELING — Pat Durkin is still basking in the excitement of capturing Wheeling Park’s first swimming title. He’d like to add another new trophy to the case. Entering his third season as the softball coach, Durkin has taken the Patriots to the state tournament every year, including a runner-up finish in 2016. He feels the Patriots are going to be in the mix to get back to Vienna and come back with the hardware. “Of course we want to go back,” Durkin said. “So far they look good. We think we have a good shot, but we also know there is good competition. ...

Park to Rely on Jones, Jorden

March 17, 2017

By JOSH STROPE WHEELING — Both Wheeling Park boys’ tennis coach Tim Ickes and girls’ coach Stephanie Sada said their rosters are wide open as the regular season approaches. But they both are pretty confident on their top spots. Jared Jorden is the only returning player on the boys’ team that made it to Charleston for the state tournament last season and he will lock down the No. 1 Singles spot. A senior, Jorden has held down the top spot the past three years and won his first-round matchup in the state tournament before losing to eventual state champion J.J. Mercer of ...

McConnaughy Takes Over at Central

March 17, 2017

By KYLE LUTZ WHEELING — New Wheeling Central baseball coach Bo McConnaughy knows a thing or two about the sport. He was at the helm for 30 years at West Liberty, posting 580 wins including six conference championships. He takes over at Wheeling Central a year after the Maroon Knights had a impressive run at a state championship, only to fall in the title game. Although he is inheriting a successful program, McConnaughy knows that it’s going to take a lot more patience in coaching at the high school level. “The difference is skill level,” McConnaughy said. “Usually when ...

Maroon Knights Softball Hungry for More

March 17, 2017

By KYLE LUTZ WHEELING — If one could describe the Wheeling Central softball team’s 2016 campaign in one word, it should be pretty easy come up with it. Perfect. The Maroon Knights have their rings and are ready to get back on the diamond. Wheeling Central secured a 33-0 season and a Class A West Virginia state championship to go along with other accommodations. “It was pretty amazing,” Maroon Knights coach Rick Magruder said about last season. “You just had to have a lot of luck with it. The girls played pretty exceptional last year. And all the breaks went our way and we ...