TENNERTON – Five individuals and one team were inducted into the Buckhannon-Upshur Athletic Hall of Fame by the B-U Hall of Fame Committee Saturday night in a ceremony at the high school. It was the 22nd Hall of Fame ceremony.
The Buckhannon-Upshur High School Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2025 was comprised of Brian Bergstrom, Terry Brake, Lauren Cvechko, Mackenzie Leigh and J.R. Tenney as well as a lone team in the 1958 Buccaneer baseball squad.
Prior to their inductions, Hall of Fame Chairman Jim Marsh recognized Rob Posey and the Buckhannon Moose Lodge for helping the committee get off the ground at the beginning and hosting the event in at the beginning
Mida Peterson, a member of the very first Hall of Fame class in 2004, was also honored for her 65 years of service to Buckhannon-Upshur High School as the founding coach of girls volleyball, basketball and track teams at B-U.
Bergstrom was the first to be inducted, who was introduced by Jamie Davis. A 1999 graduate, he participated in track, cross country and soccer before going on to further his academic and athletic pursuits in the Ivy League, running track at Yale University.
Marsh inducted Brake, a 1973 graduate. He acted as the first athletic Mar in Buckhannon-Upshur history, spending his four-year high school tenure as the Buccaneer football trainer and equipment manager. Upon his graduation, he went on to fill a role as the Fairmont State athletic trainer in 1973-74.
Cvechko, a 2012 graduate, was inducted by B-U athletic director Taylor Stacy. She emerged as a dual-sport star in both soccer and track during her time as a Buccaneer. She later went on to continue her running career on the collegiate level for the West Virginia Wesleyan track team from 2012-16.
Leigh, a 2014 graduate, was inducted by Peterson. She balanced a trio of varsity sports, playing volleyball, basketball and running track. She then took her talents to the collegiate level at Ashland University, running track and eventually being named an All-American in 2019.
Tenney, a 2008 graduate, was inducted by Duane Carpenter. He made his name as a dual-sport varsity star during his time at Buckhannon-Upshur, playing four years on the diamond in baseball and three seasons on the court in basketball. After making the jump to the collegiate level, he dedicated himself to baseball, playing at both Seton Hill University and West Virginia Wesleyan.
The 1958 Buccaneer baseball team consisting of Noel Blankenship, Terri Boni, Hobert Bunner, John Crites, Steve Feola, Fay Slaughter, John Teets, Sonny Tenney, Willie Warner, Buddy Zickefoose, Neale Hinkle, Sam Hollen, Derry Lane, and Chester Mearns will also be honored after logging one of the most successful seasons in program history.
They were inducted by Mike Hinkle, the son of Neale.
Under the guidance of head coach Frank Feola and assistant Johnny Myers, the 1958 Buccaneers opened the season on an undefeated tear, highlighted by victories over Weston and Philippi to win the sectional crown followed by victories over Bridgeport and University to clinch both a regional title and a state tournament berth.
Buckhannon-Upshur’s postseason march came to an end in the state semifinals, suffering their lone loss of the season to Stonewall Jackson and closing the season at 18-1 overall.
(Photos courtesy of Daniel Green)
