FAIRMONT —
Most expect big things for Fairmont State’s basketball teams this season.
Apparently, the West Virginia Conference coaches do, too.
With five returning starters, including reigning league Player of the Year Kaitlin Snyder, the Falcons’ women’s team were tabbed as the runaway conference favorite on Thursday.
FSU (18-10 last season, 14-8 in the league) was listed first on 11 ballots while garnering 218 total points to lead the field. Glenville State (23-7, 18-4) picked up one first-place vote en route to 190 points and the No. 2 spot. West Liberty (15-15, 11-11) received a first-place vote and 174 points for third place. Concord (23-6, 18-4) garnered the remaining two first-place votes and was fourth at 167.
Snyder, an NCAA Division II All-American who accounted for 21.5 points, 4.4 assists and 2.7 steals a game a season ago. The Falcons also return a trio of double-figure scorers in Hailey Garrett (14.3 ppg), Tiffany Nicholson (10.5 ppg) and Emily Lohr (10.3 ppg) along with returning starting guard Briana Welch.
On the men’s side, FSU was picked to finish third under first-year head coach Jerrod Calhoun.
West Liberty, who went 32-3 last season earn its second consecutive trip to the NCAA Division II Elite Eight, were again picked first. The Hilltoppers are gunning for a fourth straight league title.
West Liberty (32-3, 21-1) garnered 14 first-place votes and 224 total points to lead the field, besting No. 2 Charleston (26-7, 18-4) for the top spot. The Golden Eagles, who dropped a 93-90 overtime decision to the Hilltoppers in last year’s WVIAC Tournament championship game, received 201 points in the voting. UC also earned a bid to the NCAA Tournament a season ago.
FSU (9-18, 7-15) picked up one first-place nod and 191 total points for third place in the poll. West Virginia State (14-13, 12-10) tallied 156 points for fourth while Alderson-Broaddus (18-10, 14-8) notched 146 points and is picked to finish fifth.
For a full list of preseason polls, see Page 3B.
Sports
Falcon women picked first in WVIAC
FSU men tabbed third in league poll
- Sports
-
-
FSHS glides past Braxton, 11-0: PHOTOS
Fairmont Senior High School’s baseball team leveled Braxton County in the Class AA semi-regionals Tuesday evening, 11-0.
The Polar Bears were led by their cleanup hitter, Johnny Kesling, and starting pitcher, Fletcher DeVaul. -
HERTZEL COLUMN: Bill Stewart is missed, remembered
It was Monday, the first anniversary of Bill Stewart’s sudden death while playing the 16th hole of a charity golf tournament with West Virginia University’s former athletic director and his former boss, Ed Pastilong.
-
Miles granted release from WVU
Junior forward Keaton Miles, who suffered through a disappointing sophomore season as West Virginia fell below .500, has been granted a release and will seek a transfer, according to published reports.
-
WVU baseball team helps those in tornado’s path
In so many ways it was a day that called for celebration.
Randy Mazey’s West Virginia baseball team, the team that was supposed to finish last in its first Big 12 season, was sitting in third place on what should have been the eve of the conference tournament. -
Horton signs with Fairmont State
One Fairmont Senior basketball player’s dreams of playing in college has become a reality.
On Tuesday, Travon Horton signed his letter of intent to play basketball at Fairmont State University.
He said staying in Fairmont means a lot because of the support he has. -
FURFARI COLUMN: WVU should reinstate men’s track — not golf
West Virginia University has not had a men’s golf team since 1982 in its sports program.
But Oliver Luck, who’s been the school’s athletic director going on three years, reportedly is talking about bringing back that sport “because it’s cheap.” -
Pirates beat Cubs, 5-4, behind Snider’s grand slam
Travis Snider hit a pinch-hit grand slam during a five-run sixth and the Pittsburgh Pirates spoiled a strong return to the mound for Matt Garza with a 5-4 win over the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday night.
-
Rogers making the move from Grafton to Fairmont State
Grafton’s standout tennis player is now off the market.
Hailey Rogers is an official member of the Fairmont State Fighting Falcon tennis squad, and she is ecstatic to call Fairmont home. -
HERTZEL COLUMN- Catastrophes make you stop and think
The scenes have been gruesome, devastation everywhere, words flowing from the mouths of reporters that are as difficult to comprehend as are the images on the eyes.
-
Anderson gives Senators a chance
Craig Anderson has his game back, and just in time to give the Senators a chance.
- More Sports Headlines
-
