MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Another national signing day is nearly behind us, and eight Morgantown-area athletes have decided to extend their athletic careers.
The morning was kicked off at University High where senior Maya Gharib signed her letter of intent to play tennis at Wheaton College.
Wheaton, a private Division III school located near Chicago, drew Gharib’s attention with its success and comforting coaching staff.
“I really liked the coach [Jane Nelson] and I met with the team who was nice,” Gharib said. “It felt like a family. I liked the campus and atmosphere, [too].”
Gharib decided she wanted to pursue collegiate tennis last year in the summer, noting that she simply didn’t want to give the sport up. After three years of varsity experience switching between the 1- and 2-seed positions, Gharib will soon enter her fourth year on the varsity squad. She’s lettered each year so far.
“It’s an okay distance, it’s a little far but I’m excited to go somewhere new,” she said of the 554 miles from Morgantown.
The majority of the Hawks girls’ team ended last season in regionals, but Deah Gharib, Maya’s sister, competed in the 3-seed singles bracket and Taylor Dalton-Grace Valenzuela competed in the No. 2 doubles bracket at states.
Wheaton ended last year’s season with a 17-6 overall record while securing a regionals win over John Carroll University in the first round of the NCAA championship. The fthen moved on to face Carnegie Mellon in the second round, falling 5-0.
The Thunder ended their Fall 2019 season with a first-place win at the CCIW Women’s Tennis Champshionship following a 10-1 run. Their spring season opens on Feb. 29 against Calvin College.
Preston Fox makes it official with Mountaineers
From sitting in the stands as a child to waiting to suit up in the old gold and blue this fall, Morgantown senior Preston Fox’s dreams are coming true.
Fox, although announcing his decision to play for West Virginia’s football program as a preferred walk on in 2020, made it official Wednesday afternoon by signing his letter of intent on national signing day.
Fox ended his senior year with 754 yards on 46 catches and four touchdowns as Morgantown’s most deadly wideout. He was also utilized as a wildcat quarterback and took carries in motion toward the end of the season, racking up 376 yards and five touchdowns on 55 carries on the ground. In total, Fox logged 1,699 all-purpose yards between offense and special teams.
“I’ve always had it in the back of my mind – going to WVU. It’s always been a dream,” Fox said. “I just wanted to visit all the other schools that offered me and make my decision after that. I feel like I can compete playing at WVU. Neal Brown is an awesome coach. It’s going to feel amazing [running out onto the field].”
The University of Charleston was his other top choice.
West Virginia opens up the 2020 regular season in Atlanta on Sept. 5, facing Florida State in the Chic-fil-A Kickoff Game. The last time the Mountaineers played in the kickoff game was 2014 when they faced Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide.
Golden Eagles snag Finn, Cougars get Fletcher
Although Fox signed with WVU, the Golden Eagles did end up getting a wide receiver from Morgantown High in Hunter Finn. Finn visited Charleston a few weeks ago and “fell in love with the campus.”
“Coach [Nick] Verna is the receivers coach there and I think he has a lot to offer,” Finn said. “I think he’ll push me to be the best athlete I can be.”
Finn is happy to stay close to home, utilize the PROMISE scholarship and play with a lot of his peers in the Mountain East Conference.
“I love this school [Morgantown] and want to take what I learned to the next level,” he said.
Fox may have swayed Finn slightly into accepting the offer as the two visited UC together. Finn noted it was a cool experience to share with a friend and that he’s excited to move to a new town.
The Golden Eagles ended the 2019 season with an 8-3, 7-3 MEC record.
Sticking with football, another Mohigan will continue his gridiron-journey. Bennett Fletcher signed his LOI with Misericordia University as a long snapper. The Cougars are a Division III program located in Dallas, Pa., and compete in the Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom Division.
Fletcher’s biggest reason for going north, aside from football, is that he was immediately accepted into MU’s occupational therapy program.
“I’m going to get a good education,” he said. “Football helps me in school – it gives me structure in my [everyday life]. I don’t have to worry about going to grad school since I got a direct admit which is exciting.”
Fletcher credits the coaches and small campus as drivers to get him to sign with the Cougars. The Cougars ended last season with a 6-5 record capped with a loss to Franklin and Marshall in the MAC-Centenniel Bowl.
Three state champions heading to two different schools
Just after the 2019 girls’ soccer season ended, Morgantown High saw renowned striker Sammie Brown sign with Auburn. Fast forward to Wednesday, and the Mohigans have signed away three other key components of the state title team, Anne Williams, Grace Stire and Jessica Jones.
Williams and Stire are both staying in-state, signing their LOIs with West Liberty University. Stire is a 4-year varsity defender and was named to the All-OVAC team in her freshman and sophomore years. Jones, named goalkeeper of the year and first team All-State, will be traveling further away to attend Canisius College in Buffalo, N.Y.
“I narrowed it down to two schools and ultimately chose West Liberty in early-November based on what they could offer me,” Stire said. “They have a good nursing program and I really like the coach [Barry Christmas] there. It’s a super cool opportunity to play collegiate sports, and I’m excited to meet new people and develop new relationships with the team.”
Stire knew she wanted to continue her career during her senior year. After juggling the idea, going to states and winning the title sealed the deal for her. She’s also happy to stay close to Morgantown and play with familiar faces – Williams and girls she used to play travel with.
Williams is equally excited to move to Wheeling, noting she’s happy her family can come to watch her play and that she’ll have familiar teammates like Stire.
“Whenever I visited the school I immediately loved the coach. He’s watched me play for a while,” Williams said. “The other girls I’ve either played with or against, so I know their style of play.”
Williams is going to study nursing and eventually hopes to be a physician assistant.
Jones, though moving further away than her counterparts, is still excited to move. Plus, her journey to Buffalo means she’ll be playing at the Division I level – the second girl on the state championship roster to go D1.
“I went there on my official visit and felt very welcomed,” Jones said. “I’m more excited than nervous [to move]. It’ll be fun to experience new things.”
The coaching staff and her future teammates are what hooked Jones on her visit. Jones stayed two nights in the dorms and said they felt “familiar.” The standards that the program set also drove Jones to sign with Canisius.
Jones will be majoring in political science and is aiming to go to law school.
From a Mohigan to a Ram
The final senior to sign an LOI was MHS boys tennis’ Hamilton Hall. He will attend Shepherd University in Shepherdstown.
Hall is coming off a state-qualifying junior year where he entered the No. 2 singles and No.1 doubles brackets.
“I really like the town,” Hall said. “It’s close to home and to other metropolitan areas like Washington D.C. Being in state is great for me – it seems like a great opportunity.”
Hall also likes the campus and coaching staff, noting that Rams coach Rossner convinced him the most.
“My mom wanted me to go away for college, but not so far away that I couldn’t come home if I needed to. It seemed like the perfect place.”
Hall’s journey to play collegiate tennis isn’t a traditional one. After quitting in 8th grade, he began playing again in high school, falling in love with the sport after his freshman year. He didn’t make up his mind until this past year, but is very happy to head to the historic town nestled against the Potomac River.
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