It’s a record that likely never will be toppled.

Last weekend, the Speech and Debate Team at Wheeling Park High School captured its 45th — yes, 45th — consecutive state speech championship during the state’s Overall Speech Sweepstakes at West Virginia University in Morgantown. It’s a record that now goes back to 1980 when then-coach Fran Schoolcraft and her assistance William Cornforth instilled in a group of young students that they could be … well, more. To continue that streak — that level of commitment it takes, year in and year out, to produce champions, for 45 years — well, that’s just something special.

The current coaches are Wheeling Park teachers Jenn Mathieu, Isabella Droginske and Kayla Nelson. Here’s what they had to say following consecutive state title No. 45:

“The team and coaches are beyond proud that all of our hard work has paid off for our 45th consecutive state championship,” they said. “Each year, the team starts working in the summer and all throughout the year to ensure we continue this legacy of success. And our work is not done yet, we are off to Nationals in Chicago and Louisville, Kentucky. We couldn’t do this without the generous support of our administration, the board of education, our volunteer judges, and team parents.”

Wheeling Park captured 14 individual state championships during the competition from the following students: Ariauna Friend, Josephine Gilbert, Jana Schodzinski (two events), Levi Powell (two events), Morgan Graski, McKenna Guthoerl, Kesley Holeczy, Maliah Miskiewicz, Khadija Rizwan, Ella Wheeler and Siyan Lopez.

Congratulations are in high order for the entire team. They continue to make all of Ohio County proud through their hard work and dedication.