Post 1 Hands Out Accolades
Guckert earns scholarshipBy NICK BEDWAY, For The Intelligencer
The past, present and future of Wheeling Post No. 1's American Legion baseball program were highlighted during a season-ending steak fry and awards program held earlier this week at the Wheeling Park Sonnenborn Shelter.
Included in the group of around 100 attending the event were players, parents, Board of Directors members and fans of the 2008 Post 1 squad that finished as the runner-up in last week's West Virginia American Legion State Tournament.
Coach Tom Pasco introduced, each member of his team, highlighting their accomplishments and paying tribute to the five players that completed their legion baseball careers during the 27-14 season.
Most of the awards presented during the evening were named after past contributors and former coaches of the tradition-rich Post 1 baseball program, which has produced nine state championship teams.
It was also pointed out that Pasco's coaching staff, including the second-year manager himself, was made up of former Wheeling legion players Mark Maguire, Josh Tysk and J.J. Everhart. Long-time business manager Chuck Koehler, who has been part of the Post 1 American Legion baseball family nearly every year from time he was a player in the early 1950's, received a standing ovation after being introduced by Pasco.
Continuing a tradition established 10 years ago was the presentation of the Robert ''Slugger'' Loew Scholarship Award, which went to Post 1 infielder Brad Guckert. This is a $2,000 annual scholarship to West Liberty State College. Making the presentation was Lary Loew, a member of the Wheeling Post 1 Baseball Board of Directors and the son of the late ''Slugger'' Loew, one of the legendary players during the salad years of Ohio Valley sandlot baseball.
The Clark N. Porter Award, named after one of the Wheeling Legion program's long-time benefactors, is given annually to the player who best exemplifies the spirit and tradition of Post 1 baseball. The 2008 recipient was outfielder Dillon Mangino.
Presented the team Most Valuable Player Award and the trophy given to this year's offensive statistics leader was Heath Beecher.
Other awards recipients included: Tipper Zarnoch Hustle Award-shared by Andrew ''Budda'' Henry and RJ Vargo; Jack Walters Rookie of the Year-Christian Lewton; Bill Walter Most Improved Player-Christian Lewton; and the Dick Moore Golden Glove Award-Clark Sambuco.
The five players concluding their Wheeling Legion careers were Mangino, Beecher, Guckert, Donnie Platt and Andrew Kozusko.
Players eligible to return next season are Sambuco, Sengewalt, Lewton, Henry, Vargo, Warren Hammel, Corey Walters, Jordan Daugherty, Brian Coen, Scott Castilow, Chris Kiedaisch, Cody Bishop and Chad Kimpel.
During the 2008 state tournament, Wheeling recorded victories against Elkins Post 20, Mounds-ville Post 3 and heavily favored South Charleston Post 94. The losses occurred in hard-fought games against Morgantown Post 2, which won the championship for the second year in a row and will represent West Virginia in next week's American Legion regional tournament in Colonial Heights Virginia.
