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

‘Now, I can have four more years’: Three senior Buccaneers to continue athletic careers at collegiate level

Laikelyn Leggett, seated center front row, recently signed on to play soccer at Alderson Broaddus University. Pictured from left are Jim Leggett and Tammy Leggett, and back row from left, is Chantelle Winans and Tanner Collins with Laikelyn’s nephews.

BUCKHANNON – Three senior Buccaneers will continue their athletic careers at the collegiate level.

Last month, Laikelyn Leggett, Zachary Barcus and McKenzie Reynolds signed on to their chosen colleges during a March 10 signing ceremony at Buckhannon-Upshur High School.

Leggett has played soccer since she was three and decided to continue at Alderson Broaddus University.

“I like being able to travel everywhere, seeing new things, meeting new people throughout, and of course, I like seeing how far we can go – that’s what I love about it,” Leggett said. “I’m just happy I don’t have to give it up. I would miss it, so now I can have four more years, and then I’ll see where my life actually takes me.”

Barcus signed on to the track and field team at Salem University, where he clicked with the coaching staff clicked. Plus, it’s not too far from home, he said.

“I got really interested in the coaching staff, and I feel like the environment there would be a lot better suited for me than other schools,” Barcus said. “It’s also not too far which means a lot to me because my parents are one of my biggest supporters, and it’s important to me, to have them there.”

Barcus said he appreciated the competition in track, and he encouraged high school athletes to work hard if they also want to make it to the collegiate level.

“I love being able to run, knowing the person next to me wants to win just as much as I do,” Barcus said. “The best advice I can give is to get in the weight room early, stick with it throughout high school and get yourself a great coaching staff. If it wasn’t for the coaching staff, I never would have made it this far.”

Zachary Barcus, seated third from left with Caleb Barcus, Mark Wells and Brandy Hardman, Zachary will continue his track and field career at Salem University.

Reynolds decided to play volleyball at Glenville State because it felt like another home.

“I think it was when we went on a tour for school,” she said. “When we went there and I noticed how it was close to home but it wasn’t too close, it was a small school and I know there’s a lot of kids from Buckhannon that went there, so it kind of just felt like another home,” Reynolds said.

She said her teammates at B-UHS were always close, and they helped each other reach their goals.

Pictured, from left, are Lois Casto, Nikki Reynolds, Scott Casto, McKenzie Renolds, B-UHS Athletic Director Rick Reynolds, Ashley Stanton and Lisa Crites.

“It was always like a family – we were always there for each other, even though we weren’t the greatest team out there, we were always there for each other and always supportive,” Reynolds said.

Share this story:

Local Businesses

RECENT Stories

LUCAS Truck

LUCAS to offer lung cancer screening in Rock Cave, Weston, and Buckhannon

LUCAS, WVU Medicine’s mobile lung cancer screening unit, will offer low-dose CT scans in Rock Cave, Weston, and Buckhannon in July for insured and eligible uninsured patients by appointment.

Man arrested for allegedly attempting to cash unauthorized check at BC Bank in Buckhannon

Christian Lyons, 47, of Ashford, was arrested on a felony charge after allegedly attempting to cash a check without authorization at a Buckhannon bank, with surveillance and account details helping police identify him.
Summer basketball

Summer Basketball League continues to grow under UCRC director Mitchell Shaw

The Upshur County Summer Basketball League, overseen by UCRC director Mitchell Shaw, is thriving and expanding with 18 teams and 183 players, offering organized, community-focused competition and new sponsorship-driven prizes in Buckhannon.

Buckhannon Banter: Get the local lowdown for June 11, 2025

Local highlights include a June 28 Glow Stick Party at James Curry Library, Upshur Schools’ virtual learning signups, BUHS rescheduled Alumni Soccer Game and a debut novel by Chantelle Kerr.

Upshur Update: Catch up on the latest local news in our June 11, 2025 podcast

The Upshur Update highlights the return of the Almost Heaven BBQ Bash, pool openings with new inclusive programs, community achievements in literacy and sports, student honors, local recognitions, and upcoming summer events in Buckhannon and Upshur County.

‘It’s the Small Things that Count’ – Lively pens book about daughter Megan

Alisa Mauk Lively has written “It’s the Small Things that Count,” a book celebrating the life and impact of her late daughter Megan, with proceeds benefiting Upshur County Special Olympics.

Buckhannon woman arrested for allegedly selling meth within 1,000 feet of local youth center

Tiffany Sparks, 43, was arrested after allegedly selling methamphetamine to a confidential informant within 1,000 feet of the Stockert Youth and Community Center in Buckhannon, according to police.

Read all about it: Rachel Strawder named new director of Literacy Volunteers of Upshur County

Rachel Strawder, a longtime member and former AmeriCorps VISTA, has been named the new director of Literacy Volunteers of Upshur County, succeeding Jennifer Higham and aiming to expand literacy outreach in the community.
asphalt pavement road paving work

City of Buckhannon to pave Randolph Street and other roads this week

The City of Buckhannon will begin paving southern Randolph Street on June 10, followed by Railroad Avenue, East Lincoln Street, and Maple Street, and asks residents to remove vehicles during the process.