Wheeling Central’s Jacob Estep was selected first team all-state by the West Virginia Sports Writers Association. Photo by Kyle Lutz

CLARKSBURG — The Wheeling Central soccer program has grown through the past few years and a big part of that has been the play of forward Jacob Estep.

The Maroon Knights junior led the team with 44 goals and 14 assists, was named the OVAC Class 3A/1A Player of the Year and today is selected Class AA/A first team all-state for the second straight season by the West Virginia Sports Writers Association.

Estep’s teammate, Thomas Minor, was named a second-team midfielder. Oak Glen is represented on the second team by junior defender Matt Wright and sophomore goalie Jacob Clark.

Before Khori Miles set foot on the campus of Robert C. Byrd High School, the Flying Eagles had never been in the state boys soccer tournament in consecutive years.

With his junior year now in the rearview mirror, they’ve been three times and made the final twice.

“It’s a priority now. We’re expected to get to the state tournament every year,” Miles said. “And if we don’t, it looks bad.”

Miles’ goal-scoring prowess has now earned him the captaincy of the first team for boys soccer.

“I’ve been working at this for a long time,” Miles said. “Just to be able to finally get something, it means a lot to me. It means a lot to the team.”

As a junior, Miles took on a greater leadership role this season in addition to his on-field production.

“I was a different player this year, on and off the field,” Miles said. “On the field, I was a lot more assertive. I just told my team what we needed to do, and we got it done. Off the field, I tried to hang out with my teammates as much as I could and get their confidence up.”

Miles is joined on the first team front line by Estep, Nitro senior Zander Schmitt and Williamstown’s Boston Caruthers.

The midfield is comprised of a state champion (Winfield senior Evan McCray), a state runner-up (East Fairmont junior Aiden Slusser), a state semifinalist (Charleston Catholic senior Jack Cimino) and Bridgeport senior Tristan Nolte.

The back four is East Fairmont senior Evan Garrett, Nitro senior Justin Mayfield, Charleston Catholic senior Michael Hoffman and Winfield senior Philip Englund.

Charleston Catholic senior Ethan Malinoski is the goalkeeper.

Utility spots went to East Fairmont sophomore Lance Cerullo, RCB senior Eli Williams and Nitro senior Andrew Mahairas.

“Division I players on these teams,” Miles said of his fellow first teamers. “A lot of good players. We had to play our game to a lot higher potential than we were used to playing to. It’s good experience.”

Making the second team are forwards Corey Fluharty (East Fairmont), Briar Cessna (Frankfort), Gabe Turak (Trinity) and Michael Watkins (Herbert Hoover); midfielders Michael Floyd (Fairmont Senior), Coen Preston (Winfield), Jonas Branch (Fairmont Senior) and Minor (Wheeling Central); defenders Tucker Newell (captain, Charleston Catholic), Tanner Dodd (RCB), Wilson Meeks (Charleston Catholic) and Wright; Utilities are Alberto Castillo (Point Pleasant), Ryan Shrewsburg (Winfield) and Adam Veroski (Point Pleasant).

The list is determined by the voting of state coaches and WVSWA members.