All schools in Upshur County will close at 1 p.m. today. All B-UHS sporting events today are canceled.

Montondo hired as WVWC Acrobatics & Tumbling head coach

Photo courtesy of WVWC SID Office

BUCKHANNON, W.Va. — Kassidy Montondo has been tabbed as the next head coach of the West Virginia Wesleyan acrobatics & tumbling team, WVWC Athletic Director Randy Tenney announced on Wednesday (July 27).

Montondo, a former acrobatics & tumbling athlete at Davis & Elkins and assistant coach at West Liberty, takes over after Alexa Johnson resigned to pursue an opportunity outside of collegiate athletics.

“We are excited about the potential Kassidy brings to the acrobatics & tumbling program,” said Tenney. “She has the experience as a participant and coach and has the knowledge of the recruiting channels to grow our program.”

Most recently, Montondo completed a graduate assistantship at West Liberty where she assisted with the Hilltopper Acrobatics & Tumbling team while she worked on her master’s degree in Clinical Psychology.

“I have always wanted to go into a helping profession and my life has been centered in sports,” said Montondo. “I am confident this position is the perfect combination of both those things. I am thrilled to get started with this team and continue what Courtney [Oates] created and Alexa [Johnson] built upon.”

A Watertown, N.Y., native, Montondo’s background includes participating in competitive cheerleading at CNY Storm of Syracuse during high school. She competed as an acrobatics & tumbling athlete at Davis & Elkins as a four-year starter. She was awarded All-Mountain East Conference Second Team honors as a sophomore in 2019. While at D&E Montondo competed in a variety of events including compulsory acro, pyramid and tumbling. She specialized in toss and qualified for the MEC Championship in 2019 and 2021.

Montondo excelled in the classroom at D&E and was recognized on the National Collegiate Acrobatics & Tumbling Association (NCATA) Academic Honor Roll in 2019 and 2021. She was named to the MEC Commissioner’s Honor Roll three times as a Senator. Montondo earned President’s List and Dean’s List recognition throughout her academic career at D&E. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Human Services.

Share this story:

Local Businesses

RECENT Stories

BUHS Boys Soccer Feature Image

Soccer Bucs have forgettable clash in 6-0 setback to Bees

Unbeaten East Fairmont routed Buckhannon-Upshur 6-0 as the Bucs, outshot 18-5, conceded three late first-half goals and fell to 4-8-1.

Local clothing store reopens as Kaitlin & Co. Boutique on Main Street in Buckhannon

Kaitlin Trickett reopened the former Caroline and Co. as Kaitlin & Co. Boutique at 33 East Main Street, maintaining vendor relationships while adding new lines. She’ll kick things off with a grand opening on Sept. 27.

Mary Delores Levingston

Mary Delores Levingston, 63, of Buckhannon, a loving wife, mother, grandmother and homemaker known for her gardening, crafting and music, died September 24, 2025; cremation has been completed and a Celebration of Life will be scheduled.

City of Buckhannon releases updated schedule of fall and winter events

Buckhannon released an updated fall and winter event schedule featuring parades, festivals, arts performances, holiday celebrations, community walks, theater productions, and recurring wrestling events across Jawbone Park, the Colonial Arts Center, and Brushy Fork.

West Virginia Wesleyan College named No. 2 best value school by U.S. News and World Report

West Virginia Wesleyan College was ranked No. 2 Best Value School by U.S. News & World Report, earning regional recognition for affordability, high scholarship aid for over 95% of students, and strong social mobility and academic standing.

Carpenter Crunch Time Week 5; Some hope for B-U, not so much for WVU

Local sports columnist Duane Carpenter praises Buckhannon-Upshur’s offensive progress and playoff hope, criticizes WVU after a 41-10 loss, and previews Week 5 high school and college matchups while reporting pick standings and winners.

James Everett “Jimmy” Hovis

James Everett “Jimmy” Hovis, 39, of Rock Cave, a tattoo artist and electrician who loved construction and the outdoors, died September 25, 2025, and is survived by his parents, daughter, siblings and extended family; cremation planned.

Honorary First Responders Day on Saturday to benefit Special Olympics of Upshur County

Honorary First Responders Day on Sept. 27 at Warren District Volunteer Fire Department in Hodgesville will raise funds through food, auctions and activities to support Special Olympics of Upshur County’s growing athlete roster and program costs.

Buckhannon man charged after setting tent on fire with person inside

A Buckhannon man faces multiple felony charges after investigators say he set fire to a tent with a woman inside and threatened to slit her throat.