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It started Saturday with Wheeling Park High School's Lady Patriots earning their first state basketball title in 25 years. It ended Sunday evening when four local grapplers -- two men, two women -- earned individual state wrestling titles in Ohio.
In between, the Cameron High School Lady Dragons earned their third consecutive state basketball championship while Wheeling Park's Speech and Debate team captured its 44th -- yes, 44th -- consecutive state championship.
Students from the Northern Panhandle and Eastern Ohio performed at their best this past weekend in both academics and athletics.
We all should be proud of their achievements.
Let's start with the Lady Patriots. After three consecutive years of tough losses at the state tournament to Morgantown High School, the squad turned the tables in this year's Class AAAA final with a convincing 65-51 victory over the Mohigans. Park's Alexis Bordas was named Class AAAA All-Tournament MVP.
Later Saturday afternoon the Cameron Lady Dragons took the court. The two-time defending Class A basketball champions handled a tough Gilmer County squad, 50-43, for the state championship trifecta. Cameron's Ashlynn Van Tassell earned Class A All-Tournament MVP honors.
Then, Saturday evening, word came that Park's Speech and Debate squad captured its 44th consecutive state title in Morgantown. The triumphant Patriots arrived home to a wonderful community reception, ending at the high school.
Finally, on Sunday, four local Ohio wrestlers -- Barnesville's Reese Stephen (150) and Skyler King (157), and Steubenville's Brody Saccoccia (150) and Talea Guntrum (110), earned state titles in Columbus.
Youngsters in our area do so much so well when it comes to both athletics and academics.
Let's all join in congratulating them for their accomplishments this past weekend.