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

WVWC’s Taboada named MEC Golfer of the Year

BRIDGEPORT — The All-MEC men’s golf teams are selected based on individual performances by players during five rounds of MEC sponsored play during the 2023-24 season. The first three rounds of MEC play took place from Oct. 2-4 at Avalon Golf and Country Club in Warren, Ohio during the 2023 MEC Golf Championships. The final two rounds were played over the last two days (April 8-9) at Oglebay Resort during the 2024 MEC Spring Invitational.

West Virginia Wesleyan’s Francisco Taboada followed up his medalist performance at the MEC Championships by shooting a 71 and 69 during the two-day spring invitational. With a five-round average of 70.6, Taboada has been named the 2023-24 MEC Player of the Year.

Joining Taboada on the All-MEC first team was Fairmont State’s Alex Turowski, Glenville State’s Benjamin Fernandez, Charleston’s William Carestam, Davis & Elkins’ Elias Jarn and UC’s Pau Sanchez.

GSU’s Fernandez was also recognized as the MEC Freshman of the Year after leading the league’s freshman with a round-average of 72.8.

Charleston has a trio of players named to the second team, including Erik Ulvang, Rory Gorman and Carlos Mortera. West Virginia Wesleyan’s Mateo Zolezzi, West Liberty’s Derek Graham, Davis & Elkins’ Matin Eisa, Glenville State’s Juan Monckeberg, and West Virginia State’s Kunakorn Tang were also recognized on the second team.

Four MEC standouts also earned MEC honorable mention, including Davis & Elkins’ Matthew Crookes, Fairmont State’s Jack Hayes, West Virginia Wesleyan’s Alexia Abalos and West Liberty’s Bo Orecchio.

Glenville State head coach John Lilly was named the MEC Men’s Golf Coach of the Year.

During this week’s MEC Spring Invitational, Charleston took first-place with a three-under par for the tournament. The Golden Eagles shot seven-under par during Tuesday’s second round. Glenville State finished in second at +2, while West Liberty (+6) rounded out the top three.

Individually, Fernandez topped the leaderboard by shooting 10-under par during the 36 holes. Fernandez shot seven-under during Monday’s first round.

2023-24 Men’s Golf Awards Winners and All-Conference Teams
Player of the Year: Francisco Taboada (West Virginia Wesleyan)
Freshman of the Year: Benjamin Fernandez (Glenville State)
Coach of the Year: John Lilly (Glenville State)

First Team
William Carestam (Charleston)
Benjamin Fernandez (Glenville State)
Elias Jarn (Davis & Elkins)
Pau Sanchez (Charleston)
Francisco Taboada (West Virginia Wesleyan)
Alex Turowski (Fairmont State)

Second Team
Matin Eisa (Davis & Elkins)
Rory Gorman (Charleston)
Derek Graham (West Liberty)
Juan Monckeberg (Glenville State)
Carlos Fernandez Mortera (Charleston)
Kunakorn Tang (West Virginia State)
Erik Ulvang (Charleston)
Mateo Zolezzi (West Virginia Wesleyan)

Honorable Mention
Alexia Abalos (West Virginia Wesleyan)
Matthew Crookes (Davis & Elkins)
Jack Hayes (Fairmont State)
Bo Orecchio (West Liberty)

Share this story:

Local Businesses

RECENT Stories

Upshur County FFA hosts tailgate party with Philip Barbour FFA

Upshur County FFA hosted a pregame tailgate that doubled as its September meeting, bringing members and administrators from Philip Barbour County together to celebrate school spirit, games, food, and the new officer team’s leadership.

Buckhannon woman arrested for allegedly sending money from grandfather’s card via Cash App

A Buckhannon woman was arrested after allegedly using her grandfather’s bank card to send herself about $9,690 via Cash App over 22 transactions.

Patricia Gayle “Patty” Boone

Patricia Gayle Boone, 52, of Buckhannon, died Sept. 14, 2025, after a three-year cancer battle; she is survived by her children, grandchildren, companion and stepfather and worked as a receptionist at Spectacle Family Eyecare.

Delores Ann Smith

Delores Ann Smith, 62, of Mabie, West Virginia, died September 15, 2025; a nurses aide who loved gospel music, she is survived by her mother, a sister, nieces and nephews.

Upshur County Commission Agenda: September 18, 2025

Upshur County Commission’s agenda for its September 18, 2025 meeting, posted September 16, lists items commissioners will consider.

Five athletes, one team inducted into B-UHS Athletic Hall of Fame in Saturday ceremony

Five athletes — Brian Bergstrom, Terry Brake, Lauren Cvechko, Mackenzie Leigh and J.R. Tenney — and the 1958 Buccaneer baseball team were inducted into the Buckhannon-Upshur Athletic Hall of Fame Saturday.
WVWC Tennis

Tennis Lady ‘Cats sweep Seton Hill, 7-0

West Virginia Wesleyan’s Lady Bobcats improved to 2-0 with a dominant 7-0 sweep of Seton Hill on Sept. 14, highlighted by multiple 6-0 set victories in singles and doubles.

Buckhannon woman arrested for stealing and selling firearms

A Buckhannon woman was arrested after allegedly stealing firearms from her live-in boyfriend and selling some to a Morgantown pawn shop, resulting in a grand larceny charge.

Man arrested after wreck led police to find altered VIN on truck

A Pickens man was arrested after a wreck led deputies to find an altered vehicle identification number tag on the truck he was driving. If convicted of the felony, he faces one to 10 years in prison.