Petersburg High School

Chad played baseball and basketball at PHS. He played college baseball at Potomac State College of WVU and played on the 1995 Junior College World Series team. Chad later signed with the New York Mets and played in the minor league system for two years.

Kent "Badger" Alt played football, baseball, and basketball. He was the school's all -time leading passer until 2019. He was All-PVC in three sports and played baseball at Shepherd College.

Bill Martin played basketball, tennis, and track while at PHS. He was named the Cumberland Times-News basketball player of the year for 1984 and went on to play basketball for Potomac State College of WVU for two seasons where he was also a team captain.

Coach Carroll Michael received a degree in education at Shepherd College. Carroll played basketball, baseball, and football while attending PHS. He was a member of the varsity starting lineup as a freshman and would later become a member of the all-PVC team. He still holds the single game scoring record of 45 points in varsity basketball. In 1957 Carroll starting coaching at PHS as a junior high coach and won the PVL tournament in his first season. From 1959-1969, Carroll served as the varsity boys basketball coach, varsity track coach, assistant football coach, and assistant baseball coach. Under Coach Michael's direction, the varsity basketball team won sectional championships in 1961, 1964, 1965, and 1969. Coach Michael is also known as the founder of the Basketball Holiday Tournament, the longest running holiday tournament in the state of WV, with the original teams being Petersburg, Circleville, Franklin, and Moorefield. After retiring from coaching, Mr. Michael became the principal at Maysville Elementary and retired from teaching after 39 years.

Brian played basketball and baseball while at PHS. He later went on to play baseball on scholarship at VCU. He was a four year starter at VCU and was named to the CAA All-Conference Team.

·        Lettered four years in three sports- football, basketball and baseball

·         During his senior year he was co-captain of all three team sports- football, basketball and baseball.

·         He was a guard in basketball, quarterback in football and infielder in baseball

·         After high school, he played on an independent team and received a letter inviting him to try out for a professional baseball team, however he could not afford to make the trip to try out.

·         A member of the Student Council

·         Named “King of the 1952 Petro-Schola"

·         Veteran of the Korean Conflict

The Landes Arts Center is named in his honor and has served many activities for the school and community.

·         Participated in three sports- football, basketball, and baseball

·         Was a member of the yearbook staff

·         Participated in the Junior and Senior plays

·         First team All-PVC

·         Named to the “All-Opponent Team” in football

·         First PHS athlete to be named to the “All-State” team (football)

·         Second leading scorer on the basketball team

William “Bill” taught and coached at PHS from 1969 until 1982. He graduated from Osmond HIgh School (1956) in Virginia. While in high school he was a three-sport letterman- football, basketball and baseball. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Bridgewater Collage in 1960, where he pitched and played in the outfield for their baseball team.

In addition to teaching and coaching in Virginia schools for 10 years, Bill was also a professional baseball scout for the Kansas City Royals (seven years) and Los Angeles Dodgers (four years).

During his tenure at PHS, Coach Kline assisted with the football program and made some significant inroads in the baseball program. From 1977 through 1982, Coach Kline served on the baseball committee for the West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission. He earned “Coach of the Year” honors in 1980, when he led his baseball team, 35 wins and 3 losses, to be West Virginia State Champions in baseball.

Harold D. Garber is a lifelong resident of Grant County. He is the son of E. Cline and Charlotte Garber and is married to Irma Bauer Bergdoll. After graduating from PHS in 1959, he earned a bachelor’s degree from James Madison University and completed course work for a doctorate at the University of Maryland.

Harold retired from Grant County Schools as a superintendent in 1999, after serving as a teacher, athletic director, assistant principal, principal and several other positions in the school board office. During all this time, Harold has been deeply involved in ministry, promoting the athletic programs of PHS and researching the history of Grant County. He has written sports columns for the Grant County Press, done play-by-play for WELD radio Sports, announced state baseball tournament play prior to Metro Sports picking up the activity, emceed for the PHS sports banquet for more than 20 years, and served on the selection committee for WHSV-TV Student Athlete of the Week.

·         Three-year letterman in football and baseball

·          He played halfback and safety on the football team and was a catcher and third baseman.

Teammates and community members recall that he was an extremely hard running back and hard-hitting safety. Baseball fans have given accounts of his exceptional ability as a catcher

·         PVC Wrestling Champion, 1975 & 1976 (most outstanding wrestler)

·         Regional Wrestling Champion 1976

·         State Wrestling Champion 1976 in the Ib. Class with a 27-2 record

·         Jeferson County Consolidated Tournament Champion 1976

·         Football All-State Honorable Mention, Defensive End, 1975. Played “Iron Man” football junior and senior years.

·         Won the PHS Senor Wrestling and Golf awards and the Joel T. Shreve Memorial Award for wrestling

·         At PHS lettered four years in wrestling and three years in golf, track, and football.

·         Wrestled at Fairmont State 1976-77 and at WVU 1978-79.

·         PHS three-sport letterman (baseball, basketball, cross-country)

·         Helped lead the 1969 Viking basketball team to a 20-4 record under Coach Carroll Michael.

·         Earned all-state honorable mention honors for basketball in 1969.

·         Member of the PHS National Honor Society.

·         At the university of Cincinnati, he lettered in basketball as a member of the 1970 Bearcat Freshman Team that finished with a record of 20-2

·         He graduated in 1973 with a bachelor's degree in history from the University of Cincinnati Honors Program.

·         Earned a Master’s of Athletic Coaching Education from WVU

·         Played on the first girls basketball team at PHS 1974-77. Started and lettered all four years on varsity under Coach Trent Veach

·         1976 All-tournament team sectional-regionals

·         1976 Class AA State All-Tournament Team

·         1976 All State Guard, second team

·         1977 PVC All Conference Team

·         1978 Outstanding Senior Athlete

·         1978 High School All American Athlete

·         Four-time selection of Potomac Valley Conference and “AA Regional Basketball Teams

·         Honorable Mention- WV Class AA All-State Basketball Team, senior

·         Selected to First Team All-Area Basketball Team, Cumberland Times- News coverage area all four years at PHS

·         Selected Area Basketball Player of the Year, Cumberland Times- News coverage area as a sophomore

·         Chosen as Outstanding Athlete at PHS athletic banquet four consecutive years

·         Career leading scorer in boy basketball

·         Career leading rebounder and shot blocker, boys' and girls' basketball

·         Honored as WHSV-TV 3 Athlete of the Week along with recognition as Athlete of the Month, Cumberland Times-News coverage area

·         Member of the PHS boys' team (2000) that advanced to Class AA semifinals

·         Chosen as All-Tournament, Boys Class AA State Basketball Tournament, 2000

·         Second Team All-State in baseball

·         played baseball, football, and basketball at PHS

·          coached by Jess Riggleman

·         enlisted in the Air Force upon graduation discharged in 1958

·         Graduated from Fairmont State December 1981 with a B.S. in physical education

·         Baseball: four-year starter at second base; Class AA state runners-up 1976; four-year starter at Fairmont Date as an infielder.

·         Basketball: three-year starter at Guard's three-year career record of 57 wins. 14 losses, career average of 14 points/6 assists/4 rebounds.

·         Football 3-year starter at quarterback/ Safety senior year team record 8- 2.

·         Honors include 1974 first recipient of John Cunningham Memorial Award presented to the outstanding 3 sport athlete, 1975 recognition as all PVC defensive Back. 1976 recognition to Class AAA Top 20 All State Team An outstanding senior award in football and basketball.

·         Played football (quarterback/safety), basketball (point guard) and baseball (shortstop) at PHS

·         Selected first team All Potomac Valley Conference Baseball in 1978 and played third base on the 1976 State Tournament Champion runner-up team.

·         Coach Lawerence Nesselrodt has completed his 29th year of coaching college baseball, his 22nd year as a head coach and his fifth year at WVU Tech.

·         Football: Captain of three-year Letter; 1980 All State team- Special honorable mention running back; Outstanding Football Athlete Award Senior year; Senior athlete with the highest scholastic achievement award; 1979 All State Team Honorable Mentions running Back; in. 1979 PVC All Conference running back; 1978 All State Team honorable mention running back; 1978 Robert Smith Memorial Award.

·         Basketball: Captain of two-year, letter; Outstanding Basketball Athlete Award senior year.

·         Track: Four-year letter; State Track meet participant 1978, 79, 80 and 81; Outstanding Track Athlete Award Senior year; 1980 Third place, 800 mile run column. Second place 4X100 and 3rd place 4X200; 1979 fourth place, 440 relay.

·         Played football and wrestled for PHS.

·         Finished second in PVC wrestling tournament in 1967.

·         Finished third in WV Regional tournament in 1965.

·         Finished second in WV Regional tournament in 1966.

·         Finished first in WV Regional tournament in 1967.

·         Played football in baseball for PHS.

·         Was on the first team started at PHS.

·         Jesse was born in Kessel, W VA, February 5th, 1917. He is the son of the late Harvey and Rose Shaffer Riggleman. Jesse Was known as the Silver Fox.

·         Jesse served five successful years as coach at Petersburg High School, where his teams won the sectional basketball title three years, reaching regional finals. In his first season there, the Grant Countians racked up their best football record since the 1935 campaign, in which he was a player. In 1956, he came to Sheppard as athletic director, head football and basketball coach and three years later was honored on the occasion of this 20th year in sports by faculty members, players and representatives of press and radio.

·         Wayne was an outstanding all-around athlete in football, basketball and baseball. He was an All-Potomac Valley Conference selection in football and basketball. His senior year, he was the leading scorer on the PHS basketball squad and leading scorer in the PVC. He was also named to the all sectional and all regional tournaments Teams.

·         Wayne received a scholarship to play football and basketball at Shepherd's College. He was on the undefeated 1955 football team for Shepherd and one of the leading scorers in basketball. After graduating in 1959, he returned to PHS, where he was the head football and baseball coach and assistant basketball coach.

·         In 1969, Wayne moved to Laurel Del. He was head coach at Laurel High School and was assistant football and track coach for four years. He served as head football coach from 1973-77, and 1981-83. He was a biology and science teacher at LHS and PHS. He spent over 20 years coaching and retired from teaching in 1991. He received his master's degree from West Virginia University in 1972.

·         When was honored by the East West Panhandle Football Coaches All Star Football Classic XIII in June 1995. He was awarded the “Helmet of Gold.”

·         Football: Started three years on varsity. Honorable mention/ Special honorable mention Allstate. Cumberland Area Scoring Leader, 1975. First team, all PVC two years. All-purpose back with career number of 30 TD's. 72-point conversions. Three PAT's and 27 career passing receptions. During his senior year, the team record was 8-2, finishing eighth in the state rankings.

·         Basketball: Started two years at varsity. Played three years. Average 9 points and four assists per game was named Mr. Assist his senior year. Over three years, the varsity team was 57-3 and during his senior year the team record was 21-4, finishing third in the state.

·         Baseball: Started three years on varsity. 1975 PVC pitching champion. He had a career pitching record of 14-4 and a career batting average of .337. Career team record of 48-11. During his senior year, the team record was 18-11, finishing second in the state.

·         College: Played college baseball at Fairmont State College and was a four-year starter as a pitcher and utility player.

·         B. Bobby Jack was a coach at PHS with a junior high football record of 14-2. Junior high basketball record of 40-3, varsity football record of 25-25 and varsity baseball record of 92-46.

·         Wrestling: 1993-# 106 Class finishing with 22-8 record. Second place at the Viking Invitational and participated in the state tournament. 1994 Dash #171 Class, finishing second in the state tournament.

·         Received the Elvin Cleaver Junior Memorial Award. 1995- #189 class. was fourth in the state and received the Denny Moyers Memorial Award. 1996- #189 Class W VE State Champion with a career record of 115-14, Received the Outstanding Senior Award. Nick was the first in PHS history with 100 + wins. He was PVC champion twice and was ranked the 5th best wrestler in the state.

·         Football: 1994 Times News Second Team LB First Team RB & WV Honorable Mention RB. 1995 Times News First Team RB. 4-year Letterman team captain leading tackler for two years in a row.

·         Baseball: Two time all PVC catcher 1995 times news, second team, 1996 times news, first team, third in home runs and top five in runs batted in. 1995-96 John Cunningham Memorial Award Winner 1994 and 1995 WD American Legion Baseball All-Tournament Team 1994 American Legion State Baseball Tournament Championships.

·         Football: Three-year starter, senior year all conference wide receiver. The team record was 6-2-2, which included wins over Moorefield and AA schools Beall and Southern.

·         Basketball: Two-year starter senior year averaged 18 points per game and was named all-conference team record of 16-7.

·         Baseball: Three-year starter and catcher. Senior year Batting average 400, Team records 13-6.

College

·         Basketball: WVU freshman basketball team walk on 1971-72.

·         Tennis: WVU Tennis Team 1972-75, Athletic Scholarship 1973-75. Career singles record of 34-17.

·         Marge played for the first girls “Vikingettes” basketball team. The team was coached by Clement Clower and the girls were often referred to as “Clowers Lassies.” Back in the day, as tough as women were, some folks were concerned about sports being too stressful on a woman. So only half-court basketball with six-minute quarters and three on three players were allowed. This did not stop the ladies from playing What Has been described by some men as the most competitive and physical basketball they have seen.

·         Marge played on every pickup team she could, boys or girls, and she could hang right with the guys. She was asked to play on the varsity girls' team when in the eighth grade, but she unfortunately declined. Marge went out for the varsity team as a freshman and then started as forward. In 1951, as a junior, the Viking Nets went undefeated with a record of 11-0-1., They had one tied game. Typically, the basketball season was a 12-game schedule.

·         1949: Freshman scored 82 points. In 11 games, averaged 7.5 points per game. Team record: 7-2-2. 1950: Sophomore Team Higher score with 177 points in 14 games. Average 12.6 points per game.

·         Team record: 10-4.

·         1951: Junior scored 156 points in 12 games. Averaged 13 points per game undefeated record. 1952: Marge scored 415 points in her high school career and received four varsity letters. She practiced with the team her senior year and was team manager as she fell subject to the birthday and age limit rule and was not allowed to compete.

·         Ronnie lettered in basketball. Baseball and track as a student at PHS. He played on tennis teams that made it to the state tournament in basketball 1984 and 1986 and baseball in 1986.

·         Basketball: Scored 1132 career points, averaged over 21 points per game his senior year and was named to the Potomac Valley Conference All Conference Team and WV Class AA All State Team. He played for two years at Frostburg State University before an injury ended his playing. While there he received the outstanding freshman award in basketball.

·         Baseball: Member of the WV. AA state championship team in 1986. He batted .468 that season and was named to both the PVC All Conference Team and WV, AA Allstate team. He received his bachelors and master's degree from FSU and taught at Capen bridge junior high School, also coaching football and basketball.

·         Jennifer graduated from Petersburg High School in 1994. That year the tennis team was state runner up to George Washington High School. Quite a feat for a small school, since at the time there was only one class. PHS was competing against schools three times their size. Jennifer was named first Team All-State playing at number one position. While at PHS, Jennifer was also named Outstanding Senior in both volleyball and tennis, which resulted in a full tennis scholarship to West Virginia Wesleyan College.

·         In 2014, Jennifer was inducted into the West Virginia Wesleyan Sports Hall of Fame. Where is Weslyn. She was named WVI A/C All Conference in singles and doubles for three years, with a career record of 35-4IN singles and 35-8 in doubles.

·         Jennifer received national media attention in the USA TODAY after sustaining a shoulder injury which required her to switch her serve from right hand to left in order to continue to compete.

·         While at Wesleyan, she also received the Outstanding Women in Sports Achievement Award and was named Outstanding Greek President.

·         Douglas was a three-year starter in varsity football at PHS during the 79, 80 and 81 seasons. He played basketball until his senior year and played baseball his senior season in 1982. After graduation and several years at Potomac State College ON, a partial football scholarship team moved to the Washington DC area. He started a wireless communication business (Allegheny Industries Inc.), 21 years ago with offices in Maryland and Florida. He also founded and developed an online rating and booking business in the hunting and fishing industry (Outfittersrating.com) and developed/owned/ hosted and was executive director on two different television shows and outdoor industry. For the last two years, he has been working with the outdoor Dream Trips to help fulfill their dreams. (He cannot be here today because he is in taking a young man on his outdoor dream trip to hunt Black bear in. Manitoba, Canada).

·         Gary was a four-year Letterman in baseball during his time at PHS. He played pitcher, CF, RF and first base. He was Co-captain his senior year and held the pitching record for four years with 16 wins and five losses. Gary still holds the strike out record for Petersburg High School- 18 in one game against Southern MD. During his senior year, he pitched 73 1/3 innings and had 105. Workouts only gave up two earned runs that year, and six hits, pitched three one hitters, two five hitters. His ERA average was 0.60 and he batted .353, stole 16 bases out of 16 attempts. He was awarded the Senior Baseball Award and voted to the first team PVC as pitcher.

·         Gary was also a member of the PHS National Honor Society and is a graduate of Shepherd University.

·          Dan Is a 1999 Petersburg High School graduate and 1999 West Virginia State Champion and wrestling with the season record of 45-0 and a three-year career record of 123-19. He was the only wrestler undefeated in Class A/AA in 1999.

·         He would like to give a special thanks, forged last appreciation too: Little League wrestling coach Doug Swick, Little League and high school coach Robert “Bob” Sisk, Coach William “Bill” Lyon, Coach John Moyers, Coach Rick Dolly and wrestling partner and friend, Ryan T Dingess.

“These men are responsible for my achievements. Without them I never would have been successful. Don't ever forget where you come from or how you made it there.”

·         Fred graduated from PHS in 1972, where he played football, basketball and baseball. In football this 1970 team defeated Beall (Frostburg MD.) and Southern Oakland, MD, and Moorefield on their field, the 1971 team defeated Keyser, in this table, the 1971-72 team defeated Franklin and Moorefield three times, including in the sectionals. They defeated Martinsburg (AA school at the time) And Shinnston's in the regionals to advance to the state tournament. In baseball the 1971 team was defeated. Reigning state champions Shepherdstown.

Greg was a four-year tennis letterman at Fairmont State College 1971-75. He played the No. 1 position as a junior and senior. Ben Moomau (WVU) and he were the first college tennis players from PHS.

After graduation from FSC, Greg was PHS boys and girls tennis coach from 1984 - 2008. He had numerous PVC championships and Coach of the Year awards. He also had numerous regional championships (several included AAA classifications), two girls teams as state runners-up and one girls state championship (2006). Also, several individual and doubles state runners-up and champions. Many of his players have been offered college scholarships. He was 2008 West Virginia Boys and Girls Coach of the Year and 2008 United States Mideast Coach of the Year.

Tom played baseball, basketball and football during his years at PHS. He received the Senior Baseball Award, Senior Basketball Award, All-Conference Baseball, All-Conference Basketball and second-leading scorer, Honorable Mention All-State Basketball, Honorable Mention All-State Baseball, four-year starter in baseball, three-year starter in football, two-year starter in basketball and scored the first touchdown on Viking Memorial Field.

Tom attended Potomac State College where he played basketball and baseball.

Courtney played baseball and basketball while a student at PHS. During his baseball career he was named All State and First Team All Area. He had a .360 career batting average, 26-6 career pitching record, 1.51 career pitching ERA and was named the 1997 American Legion Baseball Player of the Year.

In his basketball career he was named All State, First Team All Area, WHSV-TV Student Athlete of the Week May 1, 1997, Westvaco/Times News High School Athlete of the Month April 1997 and was runner-up Cumberland Times Western MD/WV All Area Player of the Year. He scored double figures every game his senior year and scored a career 1,093 points, had 597 career assists (average 6.8 per game) and a career 341 steals (average 4 per game).

Dr. Erika (Kuykendall) Alt is a 2002 graduate of PHS. She was co-valedictorian of her senior class and a member of the varsity basketball team 1998-2002. As a senior, she helped lead her team to the Class AA state championship game. She earned first team All State, first team All Area and All Tournament honors that same season. Erika was selected as a WHSV-TV 3 Athlete of the Week her senior year along with MVP honors of the Western Maryland All Star game. She received both PHS outstanding athlete and Potomac Valley Conference awards multiple years. She scored 1,128 career points at PHS. She was also a member of the softball team her senior year.

Upon graduation from PHS, Erika played basketball at Potomac State College. She was selected to the Region XX All Tournament and WPCC first team both years at PSC. She was named a second team NJCAA All-American her sophomore year and was ranked third in NJCAA Division II in individual scoring. Erika is the second-leading scorer at PSC with 1,037 career points and a 2016 Potomac State Hall of Fame inductee. In addition to her athletic accomplishments, she was PSC Outstanding Student of the Year in 2004.

Katie Lambert Neptune PHS Class of 2005

Katie is a 2005 graduate of Petersburg High School where she was a member of the Viking girls basketball team, which were Class AA runners-up three of four years. She was named Class AA First Team All State girls basketball her junior and senior years and was all-time leading scorer in PHS basketball history for both the boys and girls teams.

After graduation she played on the Potomac State College girls basketball team for two years.

Ray Hill was an outstanding athlete in football, basketball and baseball. He played a major roll in the Vikings basketball team, which advanced in the regional finals against Keyser in the 1940s. He was a member of the undefeated 1939 Viking baseball team. Ray had a promising career in baseball and was offered a tryout with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1942, but was interrupted by the war. After returning from the armed forces, Ray played outfield for the Petersburg Merchants Baseball Team. One of the games showing his hitting ability was when the Merchants played Elkins and he hit the ball out of the Bluegrass Park. He also accounted for 10 runs batted in for a league record on the same day. He was nicknamed "Eagle Eye" by his teammates and coach for his batting ability.

Gary was a football and basketball player during his years at Petersburg High school. In 1967, he led the tri-state area's football scorers for that season with a total of 106 points on 16 touchdowns and 10 extra points. He also captured high scoring honors in the Potomac Valley Conference with 87 points on 13 TDs and nine extra points and was named First Team All-PVC. During his basketball career he averaged 19.6 points in the PVC and was named First Team All-PVC. Gary was also named Outstanding Athlete at PHS 1967-1968 and was inducted into the Petersburg High School Hall of Honor in 2016.

Gary attended Shepherd College 1969-70 and Catherman's Business School 1971. He worked at Grant Memorial Hospital from 1972-75 and was a real estate salesman for Allegheny Properties 1975-1996. He has been self-employed since 1997 and is owner of Michael Apartments with over 100+ rental units plus rental units in West Virginia and Florida. He has been the Mayor of the City of Petersburg since Aug. 1, 2001 and to date is the longest serving mayor.

A four-year starter and letterman on the baseball team, Bubba was selected First Team All-State while helping lead the Vikings to the 1986 Baseball State Championship and a 23-1 record. He was a member of the All-Tournament Team, All-Conference Team during his junior and senior years and shared the Senior Baseball Award with his teammate. Upon graduation from PHS, Bubba played college baseball at Garrett Community College (team captain) and Frostburg State University. In 1990, he was named Most Valuable Player for the FSU Bobcats and selected to the East Coast Athletic Conference All-Conference Team. Bubba has coached over 20 years. He is currently coach of the Lady Vikings softball team. The Lady Vikings have made three state tournament appearances in the past four years. He was coach of the PHS baseball team for eight years, coach of the Petersburg American Legion Baseball team for five summers, winning two WV State Championships, and has been selected as Potomac Valley Conference "Coach of the Year" six times.

Stephen played high school baseball from 1983-86 and was a four-year starter. As a junior he was named to honorable mention All-State Baseball Team. He was a member of the 1986 state baseball championship team. As a senior, he was named First Team All-State, All-State Tournament team and All-Potomac Valley Conference team. He was named Maryland Mountain District American Legion Baseball Player of the Year in 1986 and played in the Maryland American Legion Baseball State Tournament for Accident, Maryland. Following high school, Stephen attended Frostburg State University and was a four-year starting pitcher. He was a member of the 1987 FSU team that competed in the NCAA regionals. He

was a four-year All East Coast Athletic conference selection and ended his career with 18 wins and 10 losses at FSU.

Mike was a three-sport athlete at PHS, playing football, basketball and baseball. He played football his freshman, sophomore and junior years and was named All-PVC First Team, All-Area Honorable Mention and All-State Honorable Mention all three years. He played basketball his sophomore, junior and senior years and was named All-PVC First Team all three years and All-Area Honorable Mention and All-State Honorable Mention his junior and senior years. He had 1,000+ career points and had an average of 20.9 points per game his senior year, double figure scoring the entire season and 40 straight games in double figures between his junior and senior seasons. Mike also played baseball his sophomore, junior and senior years and was named All-PVC First Team all three years. In 1986 received the Robert Smith Award for outstanding freshman athlete; was a two-time John Cunningham Award winner (1988 & 1989) and was named 1989 Outstanding Senior Basketball Player.

Kaitlyn attended Petersburg High School and graduated with honors in 2005. During her tenure at PHS, she lettered in three sports. She was a four-year starter in basketball and softball and played soccer for three years. The highlight of her sports career was being a member of the PHS Girls' Basketball Team and qualifying for the WV State High School AA tournament four years in a row (2002-05). The Vikings were state runners-up three out of four of those years. Kaitlyn made the All-Tournament team and was named captain of the AA All-State Second Team her senior year. While a student athlete at PHS, Kaitlyn received the following awards/recognition: National Honor Society; Salutatorian; Forest and Gladys Bowman Scholarship Award; athlete with the highest GPA; and the John Cunningham Memorial Award.

Andrew played football and basketball at PHS. He was captain in football, PVC All-Conference First Team halfback. He scored eight touchdowns his senior year and the team had a 7-2 record under Coach William "Honey" Crites. He was also part of the PHS Annual staff and participated in the junior play, Key Club, Varsity Club, senior play, 4-H and FFA.

Trent received his first varsity letter as a freshman in basketball in 1962. After playing at Mercersburg Academy as a sophomore, he returned to Petersburg High School for his junior and senior years, lettering in baseball and basketball.

After graduation from Fairmont State in 1969, he began his teaching and coaching career at PHS. He taught language arts and coached track, junior high basketball, JV basketball, and girls varsity basketball. During that time his overall record as 122 wins and only 28 losses for 77%. In his four years as the girls varsity coach, Trent's teams had a remarkable record of 77 wins and only 8 losses for an 89.6 winning percentage. He was associated with three undefeated teams, three conference championships, coached two all-state players and was named Potomac Valley Conference Coach of the Year after going 24-0 through regional play. His team was runner-up in the first girls state tournament in 1976. Trent credits his success to his mentor, Coach Carroll Michael, great kids and their supportive parents.

Dwight played basketball and baseball at PHS under, who he feels, were the two best coaches at PHS, Dave Cooper and Bill Kline. He scored 31 points in the regional game that advanced them to the state

tournament, where they made the final four, where they eventually lost to North Fork, the defending state champions. Dwight played varsity baseball for two years and pitched a no-hitter his junior year. His senior year the team made it to the state finals. The Vikings were PVC champs in both basketball and baseball in 1976.

Wes played football and baseball as a student at PHS. He was a four-year letterman in football and a three-year starter and three-time All PVC. He broke the school record for tackles and in 1993 won the senior MVP award on the first PHS team to reach the state playoffs. Wes was also a four-year starter and letterman in baseball, four-time All PVC, second team all state and senior MVP. He went on to play at Potomac State College and was part of the 1995 national championship team. As a sophomore, he led the Catamounts in batting average and home runs. He finished his career at Marshall University.

Matt was a three-sport athlete at PHS, playing football, basketball and baseball. He was a four-year varsity starter throughout his high school career (the last three at PHS). Matt was selected to the All-PVC team as a sophomore and junior and All-Area team as a junior and All-State as a junior. As a junior, he led the Cumberland Times area in all-purpose yards, finished second in rushing and seventh in receiving. He was selected to play for the North in the 2001 WV North/South All Star football game. Matt was a three-year varsity forward in basketball and in 2000, helped lead the team to a 23-3 record and a final four state finish. He was a team captain in 2001 and was selected to the All-PVC and All-Area basketball team. He played in the 2001 WV/MD All-Star basketball game. Matt was a three-year varsity catcher on the PHS baseball team, was a two-time All-PVC selection, two-time All-Area selection. He was a member of the 1998 Petersburg American Legion State Championship team and 1999 Petersburg American Legion Hillbilly Hardball Tournament Championship team. He received the PHS individual class athlete of the year award his three years at PHS. After graduation, he played for Fairmont State University and was a four-year starting middle linebacker where he received numerous awards and recognition. He was selected to play in the college football All-Star East Coast Bowl game and led the East in tackles and was named defensive MVP. He signed with a professional sports agent and declared for the 2006 NFL draft. Following NFL workouts with the Philadelphia Eagles and Atlanta Falcons, he was named a top five small school sleeper pick. He was offered an Arena Football contract in 20016, but declined.

Casey played football, basketball, and baseball throughout high schoo0l and was awarded top athlete of the year his freshman and sophomore years. In football, he was a four-year starter as a running back and a linebacker. He set the school’s tackle record with 487 career varsity tackles. Casey was selected to play in the WV North-South football game and was the leading tackler. During his high school basketball career, he was a letter winner for three years and was a starter on the 06-07 team that advanced to the state tournament. In baseball, he was a two-year letter winner during his sophomore and freshman seasons.

In college, Casey continued to pursue football as a walk-on at West Virginia University from 2007-2011. He later earned a full athletic scholarship. During his time at WVU, the team accumulated a 48-17 record, won 3 conference championships, and won the Fiesta and Orange Bowl games. He was named two time All Big East Academic Team, a recipient of the WVU Football Meisel Award, and awarded as the graduating senior on the WVU football team with the highest GPA while lettering. He led the defense in tackles for loss vs NSU and led the defense in forced fumbles against Pitt in 2010.

Casey is currently the linebackers coach at Elon University. He was previously a football coach at the University of Arizona, Notre Dame College Ohio, University of Kentucky, and West Virginia University.

William played football and basketball during his time at PHS. After he graduated, he attended Potomac State College and graduated from there in 1959.

William has accomplished many things in his lifetime including being an army veteran, the owner of Central Tie & Lumber in Petersburg, being a member of Petersburg Presbyterian Church, a former member of the Lions Club, and a WV State Rail Authority.

He married Cathy Shaffer from Keyser, WV and has two children, Hope Vanmeter and Parry Vanmeter, who both reside in Petersburg: and three grandchildren, Kerri, Garrett, and William.

Brent played baseball, football, and wrestling as a PHS student. Once he graduated from high school, he continued to further his education by attending several institutions and workplaces. After Brent won the 1980 AA State Baseball Championship, he received special honorable mention honors of All State WV as a team captain. He was a starting catcher for PHS on the 1980 team that was the first team to win a state championship in school history. Brent went to play collegiate baseball at Spartanburg Methodist College in South Carolina.

Clem was born on April 1, 1920, graduated from Petersburg High School in 1938, then from Salem College in 1947, and earned a master’s degree from West Virginia University in 1958.

                After graduating college, Clower came back to Petersburg High School to teach. While there, he coached the girls basketball team, taught journalism, assisted in other sports, and wrote a column, “Sportingly Yours” for the Grant County Press. One of his girls’ teams had a 21-game winning streak.

                In 1955, he returned to the faculty at Salem College. During his 34-year career at Salem, he at various times served as head football coach, men’s basketball coach, head baseball coach (1957-1988) and athletic director. Clower led Salem to baseball championships in 1962, 1966, and 1971. He was also the Dean of Students and Director of the Clarksburg Campus.

                He was active in the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. During his career he earned many awards, was named to Who’s Who in several editions, was named to the WVIAC All-Time Coaches squad, and was elected to Salem College Athletic Hall of Fame. The award he was most proud of was when in 1995 WVIAC named the All-Sports Sportsmanship Award after him.

                Doug Swick obtained a teaching certificate through West Virginia Tech and a Master ASE Certification in Automotive Technology. He taught Automotive Technology at South Branch Career & Technical Center and Eastern West Virginia Community & Technical College.

                As a student-athlete, Doug participated in wrestling and won several awards: Jefferson High School Invitation Champion 98 lbs (1976), Jefferson High School Invitational “Most Pins” (1976), Sectional Class AA Champ 98 lbs (1976), Region II Class AA Champ 98 lbs (1976),  Jefferson High School Invitation Champion 105 lbs (1977), Petersburg High School Quad Champion 105 lbs (1977), Joe Shreve Memorial Award (1977), Petersburg High School Outstanding Senior Wrestler (1977), Sectional Class AA Champ 105 lbs (1977), and Region II Class AA Champ 105 lbs (1977). As a coach at PHS, Doug has been an assistant softball coach since 2004. He won the Petersburg High School Volunteer Coach Award in 2006, participated in 9 WVSSAC State Softball Tournaments, including 3 times being State Runner-Up (AA – 2019, A – 2022, A – 2024).

Kelly acquired her B.S. Business Administration degree and Paralegal Certification. She was part of the girls’ basketball team and earned 1st Team Class AA All-State (1976), 1st Team All PVC (1975 & 1976), Coach Veach’s Scholastic Award (1976), Outstanding Senior Girls Basketball Award (1977), and Senior Athlete with the Highest Scholastic Achievement (1977).

Curtis graduated from PHS in 1976. He played football for three years and was captain in 1976. He also played baseball and was one of the top four batting averages in 1975 and 1976, and wrestled. During 1975-1976, the Vikings baseball team finished AA State Runner-Up. He signed a letter of intent to play football at Potomac State College but chose not to go.

                Curtis helped with Little League from 1977-2002. He loved the children and teaching them skills for both basketball and football. He worked for Dominion power for 37 years, working from laborer to passing certification to become a Journeyman Mechanic.

Mac played football (3 letters), basketball (2 letters), and baseball (2 letters). During football he earned All PVC & Tri-Valley First Team DT and All-State Honorable Mention from 1971-1972. During basketball he earned All Sectional Team (1971-1972), All Regional Team (1972), AA State Tournament All-Tournament Team (1972), and All-State Honorable Mention.

                Mac attended West Virginia University for his undergraduate degree and graduated from dental school. Mac lives in Harrisonburg, VA where he was in private dental practice for 40 years and retired in January 2020.