The Wood County Board of Education took time during its Tuesday evening meeting to celebrate the outstanding achievements of student athletes from across the district, honoring several teams and individuals who competed at the state level this season.
Leading the celebrations was the Parkersburg High School girls' basketball team, which claimed the Class AAAA state championship on March 14 at the Charleston Coliseum. The Big Reds topped crosstown rival Parkersburg South 59-53. The board also honored the Parkersburg South Patriots girls' basketball squad for their strong run to the title game, where they fell just short as runners-up, closing out the year at 19-6.
Williamstown High School's girls' basketball program earned recognition as well, after the squad advanced to the Class AA state championship game as the No. 2 seed before falling to top-seeded James Monroe.
On the wrestling mats, Wood County athletes made a significant mark. Parkersburg South produced two standout individual honorees: Jesse Adams captured the 190-pound title and earned the Division 1 Most Outstanding Wrestler award, while Justice Anthony claimed the 114-pound crown to become a four-time state champion.
Both the PHS boys' and girls' wrestling programs were honored for finishing as state runners-up. Six Big Red wrestlers took home individual titles: Anniya Powell (120 lbs. weight class), Amiya Powell (125 lbs.), Aiden Linko (106 lbs.), Seth Drennen (120 lbs.), Stephen Myers (138 lbs.), and Dominic Way (157 lbs.).
Williamstown's wrestling program also received recognition, having finished as runners-up at this year's 79th annual West Virginia State Wrestling Tournament.
Rounding out the evening's recognitions was the PHS girls' swim team, honored for a runner-up performance at the West Virginia High School State Swim Meet held in Morgantown. The squad accumulated 57 points, finishing just a single point out of first place behind champion George Washington High School.
