Christmas Wishes For The OV
By SHAWN RINEI'm not going to even pretend this column is my idea. In fact, it's been a part of our fabric for as long as I can remember.
There was always something special about it from this vantage point. It probably has a different meaning to everyone, but for me it's a way to let people know we're thinking about them during this joyous time.
So without further adieu, here is my wish list for members of the sporting world.
Roger Waialae - A stud linebacker and all-world defensive back to go along with a record-setting offense at West Liberty.
Zach Amedro - Another record-breaking season as the Hilltoppers quarterback, and a Harlon Hill Trophy that he so justly deserves.
Tom Bruney - To be able to put a terrific football team on the field next season without having to deal with the negativity of a segment of the fanbase.
Cotey Wallace - An offer to continue his academic and athletic careers at Pennsylvania, a lifelong dream for the Brooke QB.
Larry Shaw - A 14th consecutive W.Va. A-AA wrestling title in his final season at powerhouse Oak Glen.
Tom Rataiczak - A good planner to keep up all the business that comes with running what is becoming the ever-expanding OVAC.
Ken Halloy - An even bigger and better-than-ever field for the third annual Wheeling Hospital Rally in the Valley.
Nate Davis - The chance to show what he can do with his right arm at the NFL level.
Warren Grace, Fred King - A spike in enrollment so they don't have to answer constant questions about trying to keep Paden City High School operating.
Mel Stephens - A more forgiving schedule as his Wheeling Central boys try to make their way back to the state tournament in Charleston.
Bill Storm - Four clones of John Marshall standout Jeremy Hays, who was averaging 35 points per game heading into Wednesday night's battle with Weir.
Bob Kramer - The respect he deserves as the architect of one of the most-dominating state championship teams on any level in the state of W.Va.'s history.
Max Nogay - Some rest, which the three-sport standout never seems to get.
Jim Elliott - The opportunity to cover West Virginia's men's basketball team in the Final Four.
Josh Strope - Brian Kelly being the right hire for his beloved Notre Dame football team.
Rick Thorp - Another championship banner for his Boston Celtics.
Nick Bedway - The return to prominence of both his Cleveland Browns and Indians.
Doug Huff - Season tickets to Notre Dame football.
Tracy Watson - A gas card for all the traveling he does to cover games for us.
Don Clegg - More time in the day to calculate all the ridiculous numbers being put up by the various West Liberty sports programs.
Scott Holt - A winning season for his hard-working St. John Central football team.
Scooter Tolzda - Some experience on a Beallsville boys' basketball team that some nights starts three freshmen and two sophomores.
Rudy Vavrock - The recognition he deserves for turning around the Bridgeport football program.
Joe Pettit - A full recovery from injuries suffered in an automobile accident and a return to the bench for the first-year Cameron girls' coach.
Dylan Kimble - Recognition for being the kind of teammate everyone would love to have. A wide receiver for two years at Shadyside, he volunteered to be the QB this season and fared quite well.
Mark Dodd - A couple more home games for his Linsly boys' basketball team.
Gregg Bahen - A return to prominence for his Steubenville Catholic football team, as well as a couple more hard-nosed kids like Mickey Bednar.
Dylan Potts - Continued success at Akron next fall for the River senior, who is one of the best all-around athletes the Ohio Valley has to offer.
Jordan Sorge - Another state title - or two - in both basketball and tennis, thus cementing his place as one of the most-decorated athletes in the annals of Wheeling Central.
Dan Lietdke - A bottle of Mylanta for the Fort Frye coach, which is the necessary tool when coaching both the boys' and girls' basketball teams.
Nate Taylor - An opportunity for the Tyler Consolidated running back to continue his budgeoning football career at the next level.
Mark Batton - A state football championship at Magnolia for one of the nicest guys we deal with on a regular basis.
Mark Cisar - Another record-breaking season at Union Local - a quarterback factory - with Kyle Copeland at the controls.
Jeff Sabatino - A little bit of common sense on the part of the officials.
Bellaire - The right choice as the football coach - whomever that may be.
Kim Clifford, Bruce Stiles - A pair of state-tournament both for what have been, at least in the early going, two of the most dominant boys' and girls' basketball teams in the Ohio Valley.
Donnie Bethel - A replacement for ace softball pitcher Sara Pelegreen at Harrison Central.
Bridget George - A replacement for ace softball pitcher Kinsi Tellep at Meadowbrook.
Joe Pepe - That elusive state soccer championship for his Weir boys' program.
Chris LeFever - That elusive state soccer championship for his Weir girls' program.
Mike McKenzie - The continued maturation of his Edison football team.
Gary Raber - A victory for the Buckeye Local boys' basketball team next week at powerful Hiland, where Raber once coached.
Reno Saccoccia - A better understanding of the truly wonderful things he does for the kids at Steubenville High School.
Erin DeSantis - A nomination for the Wheeling News-Register/Bill Van Horne OVAC Coach of the Year, which is a long time coming for the Indian Creek girls' basketball coach.
Chad Grandstaff - The hope that the opponents on his Zanesville football team's schedule will be back 'up' next year.
Bob Montgomery - A return to the state tournament for the John Marshall baseball team.
Bernie Dolan, Dwaine Rodgers and the Super Six committee - Continued success and support in keeping W.Va.'s best state tournament right here in Wheeling for as long as they want it.
Michael Jebbia - A state boys' basketball title for his Patriots.
Danny Sancomb - Packed houses for next week's three basketball tournaments at Wheeling Jesuit.
Greg Puhalski - A happy and healthy little girl to teach the finer points of hockey.
Craig Bommer - Spike in ticket sales at the beginning of the year for the Wheeling Nailers.
Bob Rotruck - Media pass to another Stanley Cup Finals appearance by the Penguins.
Ben Roethlisberger - The ability to know when to get rid of the football so as to not take any more beatings.
Mike Tomlin - A little confidence in the defense.
Sidney Crosby - Being rightfully recognized as the undisputed top player in the game.a
Bill Stewart - A third consecutive bowl victory and the return next season of running back Noel Devine.
My family - Another year of health, happiness and love.
Myself - What do you get the guy who already has everything?
Merry Christmas, Ohio Valley.
Shawn Rine can be reached via e-mail at Rine@theintelligencer.net
