Latest news with #Mohigans
Dominion Post
5 days ago
- Sport
- Dominion Post
GIRLS' SOCCER PREVIEW: Morgantown High has eyes set on returning to state tournament
MORGANTOWN — The Morgantown High girls' soccer team has established itself as one of the top programs in the state in recent years, with back-to-back state championships in 2022 and 2023, and multiple players being honored with player of the year awards and all-state recognition. Some of the most impactful players to ever put on the jersey have been recent graduates of MHS in the past three to four years, such as Gracie Brown, Ariana Borneo, and Lilly Staples, just to name a few. Despite the loss of some key players in recent years, the Mohigans are focused on what's in front of them entering the third season under head coach Bri Frontuto as the 2025 season approaches. 'We have a lot of versatility and strong pieces this year,' Frontuto said. 'There are some new faces and young talent. I'm most excited that we will have a JV for the first time in my tenure and in quite some time for the program. The focus is on the here and now. I will always value the players that come through and build the foundation of this program, but that is the natural progression of things. I don't see a point in dwelling on it. With that being said, I think a lot fewer eyes are on us this year, and we get to just put our heads down and work and surprise a lot of people.' She says seeing consistent growth has been something massive for the program in her years as head coach so far. 'I think any coach that feels 100% comfortable coming into the season isn't doing their job right,' she said. 'There are always things to be improved, and looking to change and make things better. This year, the preparation has been more intense, and getting our numbers up has been an enormous shift in the right direction.' MHS finished last season 17-3-2, falling to George Washington in the Class AAA semifinals in a penalty kick shootout. While the loss of Borneo and Staples will be felt, MHS returns leading goal-scorer Ella Miller, who scored 21 goals and provided 10 assists last season. The youngest Brown, Gabbie, sister of Sammie and Gracie, who both played at MHS, and daughter of current WVU women's soccer coach Nikki Izzo-Brown, will also return for the Mohigans. 'Ella is on a mission,' Frontuto said. 'I won't spoil it for everyone, but I think you'll see pretty quickly where she is headed and what she wants to do this season. She has put in the work. She isn't letting anything or anyone get in her way. If she isn't already on teams' radar, she will be quickly.' MHS will open its season on the road against Weir on Wednesday, August 20, at 6:00 p.m. The Mohigans will play their home-opener on Tuesday, August 26, at 8:00 p.m. with Lincoln visiting Pony Lewis Field. 'I try to get some new teams each year and see different sides,' Frontuto said of the schedule. 'I wanted to build in more time to grow as a team and benefit from training and load at the right times. I like to ramp up the end and get ready for the playoffs. I think I was ahead of the curve with the classification switch because I already had Eastern Panhandle teams built in. I remember going to states my first season and being nervous. I had no film or any idea of what came out of the Eastern Panhandle, and since then, I have been intentional about being prepared on that front and paying attention to games statewide.' UNIVERSITY HIGH KEY PLAYERS: Mairin Gillespie (Sr.), Avery Alexander (Jr.), Sydney Blohm (So.) OPENING MATCHES: Aug. 20 at Lewis County, Aug. 23 at Brooke, Aug. 26 at Parkersburg South PRESTON HIGH KEY PLAYERS: Ava Turner (So.), Kylie Ross (Sr.), Zoe Fasouletos (So.) OPENING MATCHES: Aug. 22 at Berkeley Springs, Aug. 25 vs. Uniontown (Pa.), Aug, 25 at Keyser
Dominion Post
25-06-2025
- Sport
- Dominion Post
Morgantown High quarterback Maddox Twigg earns first D-I offer from Marshall
MORGANTOWN – Morgantown High School quarterback Maddox Twigg has some new motivation entering his sophomore season this year, as he earned his first scholarship offer to play Division-I college football from Marshall University last week. Twigg, a rising sophomore, is set to lead MHS on its 2025 campaign and says earning the offer is a dream. 'This means the world,' he said. 'It's been my dream since I first touched a football, so it felt great to have that moment.' Twigg had a shortened season after an injury early on in 2024, but returned to help lead MHS to the Class AAAA state quarterfinals. He rushed for over 500 yards on fewer than 100 attempts and four touchdowns. For Maddox, this offseason is about building connections and making improvements. 'My biggest goal for the summer is to get a better connection with my receivers,' he said. 'We've been focusing on getting our receivers and quarterbacks ready for the regular season because we are moving into a different kind of offense to be able to throw and run the ball effectively.' The offer came after Twigg and the Mohigans won the championship of the 7-on-7 tournament hosted by MU last weekend. 'I think one thing 7-on-7 has shown coaches is how athletic some of our guys are and can be,' Twigg said. 'It's more than just going out there and running routes and throwing the ball. It shows how we can do that effectively and how we can adjust to any sort of thing thrown at us.' Having been on campus, Twigg says he was able to get a glimpse of the area and speak to some of the MU coaches, including first-year head coach Tony Gibson. 'I enjoy the coaching staff and facilities there,' he said. 'During the weekend, a couple of coaches even gave me a couple of tips on what I could do to improve and continue to get better, and that means a lot to me as a player. I think Coach Gibson is a great coach, and I have a tremendous amount of respect for him.' Twigg's offer does nothing but motivate him even more, says the 2028 prospect. 'This is huge motivation going into my sophomore season,' he said. 'I think this could be a huge year for our team and me. We have what it takes to make a run and have a shot to go far into the playoffs this season. I think we can make a run for a state championship.' Twigg and the Mohigans will begin the 2025 season at Pony Lewis Field in the Metronews Kickoff game on Thursday, August 29, against Parkersburg.
Dominion Post
19-06-2025
- Sport
- Dominion Post
Morgantown's Ariana Borneo named W. Va. girls soccer Gatorade Player of the Year
MORGANTOWN – Ariana Borneo has been one of the best girls' soccer players in the state since her freshman season. It was only fitting that the two-time state champion capped her final season at Morgantown High with the 2024-2025 W. Va. girls soccer Gatorade Player of the Year award, announced on Wednesday. 'I was very excited to see that I had won the award, that was a goal of mine this year,' Borneo said. 'I know the other candidates were also strong players, so I am honored.' Borneo led the Mohigans with 19 goals and 22 assists this season. This is the third consecutive season that a player from MHS was named to the honor (Gracie Brown won it twice in a row). 'Morgantown High School has always had a really strong program, and we've proved that over the years,' she said. 'Having three players from the team to win the award speaks volumes about our program and staff. We have produced some of the best players in the state.' Recently, Borneo has spent time playing with the Trinidad & Tobago U-20 women's national team and has her name in the selection pool for the senior roster. 'Last season, I was hoping to lead us to a third straight title, but I feel like we had a successful season overall,' she said. 'I held myself to a higher standard this year and was able to accomplish a lot of my goals.' Borneo recently graduated from MHS and has signed to play women's soccer for Ashland University (Oh.). She says her time at Morgantown High won't be forgotten anytime soon. 'I loved my time at MHS on and off the field,' she said. 'My teachers, coaches, trainers, and teammates all helped me grow into the person and player I am today. MHS girls' soccer is like a family to me, and I have lifelong friends, and I know I couldn't have achieved anything without them.'
Dominion Post
15-06-2025
- Sport
- Dominion Post
HEAD OF THE CLASS: Kayli Kellogg, Jimmy Gregg headline our top 10 prep athletes to watch in 2025-26
MORGANTOWN — Every year, we see a highly talented class of senior student-athletes in both Monongalia and Preston Counties graduate and move on to pursue their lives after high school, doing whatever they choose. Names like Brock Kehler, Cole Turner, Brady Savage, AJ Thomas, Preston Luzader, Hannah Stemple, Sadaya Jones, and many more come to mind when thinking of the 2025 class, in particular. But with every graduating class of seniors comes a new class of juniors, sophomores, and incoming freshmen who are either ready for their chance to make a name for themselves or have already begun to do so, and will return to the program next season. Morgantown High's Kayli Kellogg is the top-ranked girls' basketball player in the state, earning consecutive first-team all-state selections in her first two seasons with the Mohigans. But she is joined by a broad spectrum of talented athletes from all five schools who aren't too far behind her. Division I football prospects Jimmy Gregg of University High and Maddox Twigg of Morgantown each aim to have a big season in 2025. Brody Kehler of UHS and Parker Hopkins of Trinity Christian have emerged as two quality multi-sport athletes in the area. Preston's Bryson McNew and Morgantown's Maddox Boggs are two of the top players on the baseball diamond in the 2027 class. Ava Turner of Preston and Clay-Battelle's Kooper Statler each enjoyed breakout seasons, respectively. While MHS track and field star Elecia McCurrie was simply, well, Elecia McCurrie. If the 2025-26 school year turns out to be another banner years, these will be the top 10 headliners: Kooper Statler Kooper Statler emerged as a force on the defensive side of the ball for the Cee-Bees on the gridiron. His breakout game came during a 34-28 upset victory over No. 8 Meadow Bridge on the road. Statler tallied 20 tackles and forced four fumbles (all recovered by C-B) in the game. His efforts earned him first-team all-state honors for Class A. He is also one of the leading pitchers and hitters for the C-B baseball team. Parker Hopkins Parker Hopkins has become one of the top goalkeepers on the soccer field and catchers on the baseball diamond in Class A for the Warriors. He finished as runner-up in voting for Goalkeeper of the Year in Class AA/A and was one of the best catchers in Class A baseball this season, hitting .471 with 24 hits, 20 RBI, nine extra base hits, and 28 runs scored. He also threw out 13 of 24 baserunners attempting to steal. Maddox Boggs Maddox Boggs exploded onto the high school baseball scene this season for the Mohigans on the mound. The 2027 prospect went 9-2 this season with a 1.75 ERA in 68 innings, allowing 52 hits and earning 44 strikeouts. Only a sophomore in 2025, Boggs started the state championship game against Hurricane for MHS and could be one of the best arms in the state next season. Ava Turner Ava Turner made a name for herself during her freshman season on the mat in Kingwood. Not only did she dominantly win a state championship, but Turner also won the Powerade Tournament, a nationally renowned wrestling tournament held each year. She finished the 2024-25 season 22-1. Bryson McNew Bryson McNew picked up where he left off during his freshman season for the Knights with an incredible display of offense this spring. McNew slugged for a .640 batting average this season with 31 hits (15 extra-base base-hits), 27 RBI, and eight home runs. He was also solid defensively, without an error at the catching position. McNew is aiming for his second consecutive all-state first-team selection. Maddox Twigg Maddox Twigg is another freshman athlete who made his name known last season. Twigg entered his freshman year with high expectations and delivered, helping lead MHS to the state quarterfinals. Twigg rushed for 500 yards and four touchdowns on 86 attempts last season while also throwing a pair of touchdowns in the run-heavy MHS offense. Twigg is highly ranked among the Class of 2028. Brody Kehler Another Kehler is rising the ranks on Baker's Ridge after the athletic year Brody Kehler had for the Hawks. A three-sport athlete, Kehler was the starting tailback for UHS this season, before he won the state championship in the 165-pound weight class on the mat. He then helped UHS capture the team state championship at the state track and field meet as a sprinter a few weeks ago. Brody Kehler will be a name we hear for the next three years, just like his older brother Brock. Elecia McCurrie MHS sprinter Elecia McCurrie once again proved why she is the top sprinter in the state. McCurrie captured the 100-meter and 200-meter state championships this season and anchored the MHS 4×400 relay team to a second-place finish that propelled the Mohigans to the team state title a few weeks ago. McCurrie is the first MHS sprinter to win a state title and could very well capture many more before she graduates. Jimmy Gregg Jimmy Gregg is currently one of the highest-rated punters of the 2027 class in the country. Gregg is down to two schools (WVU and NC State) in his recruiting process after a standout season with the Hawks. Gregg was also the top earner for the Alex's Lemonade Stand fundraiser, supporting cancer research, raising $7,680 through punting. Kayli Kellogg Kayli Kellogg has dominated the girls' basketball scene in WV for the past two seasons, earning first-team all-state selections her freshman and sophomore seasons while leading MHS to consecutive state championship game appearances. Kellogg filled the stat sheet in 2024-25, scoring 21.9 points, grabbing five rebounds, dishing 4.6 assists, and nabbing 3.8 steals per contest. Kellogg and the Mohigans will once again be a top team in Class AAAA, with Kellogg being an early frontrunner for the Mary Ostrowski Player of the Year award.
Dominion Post
07-06-2025
- Sport
- Dominion Post
Messerly's relief effort sees Morgantown through to Class AAAA state title game with 7-5 semifinal victory over George Washington
CHARLESTON – The Morgantown High School baseball team earned its spot in the Class AAAA state championship game with a gritty 7-5 victory in the semifinals of the 2025 WVSSAC state baseball tournament on Friday night at GoMart Ballpark in Charleston. Senior relief pitcher Judd Messerly entered the game in the bottom of the fourth inning with two outs and a 6-5 lead as the Patriots had scored five runs in the frame. Messerly finished the game on the bump for the Mohigans, allowing only one hit in 3.1 innings with two walks and two strikeouts in 45 pitches. His effort, combined with a five-run second inning, propelled the Mohigans into the Class AAAA state championship game to battle top-seeded Hurricane Saturday night. The Redskins defeated Hedgesville 5-3 in the other AAAA semifinal. 'We came into a tough environment tonight against a very talented team and showed a high level of maturity to pull that win out,' MHS head coach Pat Sherald said. 'I can't tell you how proud I am of their effort tonight. Our mission was to come down here, compete, have fun, and give ourselves a chance to win a championship. They've answered that call, so now it's time to go back and rest up and come out prepared to face another very talented team.' Offensively, senior Vinnie Aloi was the difference for MHS as he drove in four runs in the contest, including a bases-clearing double that capped a five-run second inning. His sacrifice fly in the first inning opened the scoring. Sammy Watson reached on an infield single, followed by a walk to Kai Henkins. After two strikeouts, a pitch hit Bowers to load the bases, and a walk to Koa Silvers forced in a run, doubling the lead. Just three pitches later, Jackson Bredeson was also hit by a pitch, bringing in another run. With the bases still loaded, Aloi stepped up and delivered a massive blow with his double off the left field wall that cleared the bases and brought all three runners home, extending the lead to 6-0. George Washington punched back in the fourth with a five-run inning of its own, including a three-run double by Corbin Dixon off the left field wall. Messerly then entered the game for MHS and stopped the bleeding, making way for his offense to add an insurance run in the top half of the sixth. 'I literally told them 'thank you' after that happened,' Messerly said. 'That was such a huge run and helped me settle down in that seventh inning when my nerves started to set in. My heart started beating pretty fast in that last inning.' Sherald says Messerly has earned the nickname 'The Fireman'. 'When everything's burning down around, we call on him to come in and put out the fire for us, and that's exactly what he did,' Sherald said. He competed for us. We've put him in every high-leverage situation that we've had this season, and he's gone out and just competed for us.' Morgantown and Hurricane will battle for the Class AAAA state championship in the nightcap of Championship Saturday, with first pitch being scheduled for 50 minutes after the conclusion of the Class AAA championship, slated to begin at 5:30 p.m. BOX SCORE Morgantown 7, George Washington 5 MHS 150 001 0 – 7 4 1 GWHS 000 500 0 – 5 6 1 Morgantown – Mazey 3100 Bowers 2211 Silvers 2101 Bredeson 2101 Aloi 2014 Boggs 4000 Watson 3020 Henkins 3100 Nipper 2000 2B: Aloi 3B: Bowers George Washington – Fala 2111 Dixon 4013 Smith 3000 Kelley 4000 Gordon 2000 Barton 4110 Nelson 3120 Ellis 2100 Stewart 2100 2B: Dixon 3B: Nelson (W) Messerly: 3.1ip 1h 0r 2bb 2k (L) Barton 1.2ip 2h 6er 5bb 3k
