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

WVWC comes up just short in acro & tumbling opener against West Liberty

WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. – The West Virginia Wesleyan (0-1) acrobatics & tumbling team narrowly dropped their season opener to the Mountain East Conference favorites West Liberty Hilltoppers (1-0) by a score of 235.450-234.050 at the Academic Sports & Recreation Complex.
 
“I am extremely proud of this team and their effort tonight,” said WVWC assistant Coach Taylor Broadwater. “We are looking forward to what this season has in store for us and what we will accomplish together.”
 
How It Happened
In the compulsory event, the acro heat team started the night with a score of 8.60. The pyramid heat team kept things rolling and recorded a score of 9.10 out of a possible 10 points. The ‘Toppers edged Wesleyan 34.25-31.20 and took the first event of the evening. The six-element acro event team of Tiara Stokes, Joniah Howell, Kayla Gandy and caller Caitlin Josef scored a 9.40. The home team won the acro event 27.60-25.75.
 
The Lady Bobcats responded and won the pyramid event 27.65-23.90. The synchronized pyramid team of Gandy, Stokes, Talia Cooper, Sydney McKinnon, Abigail Bowe, Emily Dengel, Megan Miles, Kayla Wade and caller Kelsey Allen turned in a score of 9.10. The open pyramid squad followed that up with a score of 9.70. At the intermission, West Liberty held an 85.75-84.60 lead.
 
The Lady ‘Cats started the second half by making program history when the 450 salto team of Miles, Wade, Stokes, McKinnon, Alejandra Ditchen and caller Caitlin Josef performed the first back double routine at Wesleyan. Their performance earned a score of 8.95 points out of a possible 9.90 points. The synchronized toss team scored an 8.30 and the open toss team recorded a score of 8.40. After four events, the Lady Bobcats led the Hilltoppers 110.25-110.20.
 
Gandy and Ditchen kicked off the tumbling event in the duo pass and scored a 7.7. In her first collegiate acrobatics & tumbling meet, Gandy recorded a 9.175 in the aerial pass event. Ditchen concluded the tumbling events by posting an 8.6 in the open pass. With one event remaining, West Liberty led Wesleyan by less than one point.
 
The Lady Bobcats completed their team event routine first and scored a 76.85. West Liberty followed and scored a 77.85. The Hilltoppers survived and won the meet by a final tally of 235.450-234.050.
 
Up Next
Wesleyan will be back on the road for a meet at Glenville State next Sunday (Feb. 27) at 2 p.m. inside the Waco Center.

Share this story:

Local Businesses

RECENT Stories

City of Buckhannon calendar for the week of January 19, 2026

Buckhannon’s week of Jan. 19 includes MLK Day closures (waste collection still on schedule), curbside recycling pickup Tuesday at 6 a.m., and a Consolidated Public Works meeting Thursday with in-person and virtual options.

Upshur County Sports Calendar

This week’s Upshur County sports calendar lists middle and high school basketball, wrestling, and college matchups for Jan. 19–25, highlighted by multiple Buckhannon-Upshur and West Virginia Wesleyan contests.

Basketball ‘Cats gain first win off the year as they beat West Virginia State, 97-91

West Virginia Wesleyan earned its first win of the season, defeating West Virginia State 97-91 behind Jerell Jean-Baptiste’s 32 points, hot three-point shooting, and a 30-of-37 performance from the free-throw line.

Wesleyan women use strong second half to pull away from Yellow Jackets for 86-67 win

Wesleyan erupted for 33 third-quarter points and shot 55.2 percent overall to defeat West Virginia State 86–67, led by Emma Witt’s 31 points, as the Lady Bobcats improved to 8–4 (6–3 MEC).

Buckhannon honors 99-year-old Rosie the Riveter with key to the city

Buckhannon honored 99-year-old Neva Lee Reed Snyder, a WWII Rosie the Riveter who helped keep American aircraft flying, with the city’s highest honor: the key to the city. Unable to attend, family accepted as Mayor Robbie Skinner praised her courage, patriotism and legacy.

This week’s Hank Ellis All-Stars: Olivia Blonn and Xavier Robinette

Olivia Blonn and Xavier Robinette have been named Hank Ellis All-Stars for their outstanding performances in wrestling and basketball.

Upshur County recovers $300,000 in taxes as delinquent property owners beat deadline

Upshur County officials say most delinquent 2024 property tax accounts were paid before the Nov. 1 deadline. Chief Tax Deputy Heather Sparks outlined what was redeemed and how taxpayers can still reclaim property through the State Auditor’s Office.

Westfall reaches 1,000-point milestone as Bucs roll past Wheeling Park, 67-57

Senior Jerin Westfall scored a game-high 34 points, reached the 1,000-point career mark, and hauled in 15 rebounds as Buckhannon-Upshur defeated Wheeling Park 67-57.

Strawberry Festival Queen Kourtney Jones crowned 2026 WV Association of Fairs and Festivals Queen

Wesleyan nursing student and 2025 Strawberry Festival Queen Kourtney Jones was crowned the 2026 West Virginia Association of Fairs and Festivals Queen on Jan. 10 in Charleston. She’ll serve as the statewide ambassador for fairs and festivals throughout 2026.