MORGANTOWN – The auditorium at University High School was packed full on Tuesday morning.
Not for a school assembly, but for another reason, as friends and family gathered to celebrate the accomplishments and futures of nine UHS athletes who will continue on with their athletic careers in college.
Arabella Donato (Davis and Elkins Swimming), Anna McBee (Allegheny College Lacrosse), Jack Byrer (Duquesne Football), Logan Deel (Bluefield State College Football), Colton Gillespie (Fairmont State Wrestling), Timofey Husk (Washington & Lee Wrestling), Kaden Nieman (Glenville State Wrestling), Ryder Hastings (Glenville State Wrestling), and Emerson Murphy (West Liberty Wrestling), all inked their signatures securing their destination in the fall.
Five of the signees were members of the UHS wrestling program, playing vital roles in the team’s three consecutive state titles.
“My time here has been great, and I’ve had an amazing support system all four years,” Murphy said. “Having that support allows the wrestling to speak for itself. All of my coaches have been there for me in wrestling and in life, and I can’t thank UHS enough for molding me into who I am.”
Hastings, a three-time state placer for the Hawks and a 4.0 GPA student, echoed his teammate Murphy.
“I’ve grown up with these people,” he said. “They’re great people and athletes, and I can’t wait to watch them see what they do with their futures. Wrestling is a sport that helps bring people together. We go through a lot with each other on and off the mat. It’s helped develop me as an athlete and a person.”
Jack Byrer, who helped lead UHS on one of the greatest postseason runs in school history, says being close to home at Duquesne, located in Pittsburgh, is a huge plus, but overall, he fell in love with the program’s culture.
“That was the biggest thing for me,” Byrer said. “The academics are also great there, and I’m excited for the opportunity to further my education also.”
Byrer, at 6-foot-4 and 215 pounds, occupied nearly every position on both sides of the ball at some point in his career with the Hawks, but will focus on playing as a tight end for the Dukes.
“I’ve played tight end all four years here, so I’m familiar with the position,” he said. “I’m just excited to go up there and play and give everything I have.”
