James L. Gifford, 84, of Buckhannon, WV, passed away on September 24, 2026. A pastor for 40 years, he devoted his life to sharing the Gospel and serving his community.
The Mountain East Conference is struggling, with a 9–15 nonconference record and no teams receiving votes in the coaches poll. West Virginia Wesleyan is a bright spot, though, and could take sole possession of first place by beating defending champion Frostburg State.
Buckhannon-Upshur shook off an early penalty kick and battled Class AAA contender East Fairmont to a 1-1 draw Thursday. Coby Smith scored the equalizer in the 61st minute as the Bucs’ defense held the Bees in check the rest of the way.
After a 1–3 start against a tough schedule, Buckhannon-Upshur is using its bye week to sharpen fundamentals and fix costly turnovers. With four of its final six games at home, the Bucs hope to turn steady effort into a second-half surge.
Mitchell Whitley placed 13th in 17:17.46 to lead Buckhannon-Upshur to seventh among 13 teams at the rain-soaked Coal River Classic Invitational. Senior Bryce Mullens added a strong 30th-place finish as the Buccaneers battled slick conditions and injuries.
The Buckhannon-Upshur Lady Bucs placed second among 13 teams at the Coal River Classic despite storm-battered conditions. Gwendolyn Rogosky, Isabella Bowers and Chloe Lewis finished seventh, eighth and ninth, while 14 Lady Bucs set personal bests.
