Anchors Away As Wheeling Park’s Maynard To Wrestle At Naval Academy

Standout Student-Athlete Signed Letter Of Intent Monday

Kim North

Editor’s note: This story has been corrected and updated to note that Jameson Maynard is not the first Wheeling Park High School graduate to continue an athletic career at a service academy, as 2021 Park graduate Abby Turner continued her competitive swimming career at the Air Force Academy.

WHEELING - Jameson Maynard made quite a name for himself during his four years at Wheeling Park High School. However, Monday morning the recently-graduated Maynard did something that no other male Patriot athlete has ever accomplished.

The two-sport standout signed his NCAA National Letter of Intent to continue his academic and athletic careers for the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. According to head football coach/athletic director Chris Daugherty, no other male Patriot has continued his athletic career for a service academy.

"This is a big weight off of my shoulders, absolutely," Maynard said prior to his signing which was held in the lobby of the high school and attended by family, friends, coaches, teammates and classmates.

"I had a backup plan in case things didn't work out. I was going to go to Glenville State, but I couldn't pass up an offer like this. It's a great opportunity to serve my country and wrestle at an (NCAA) Division I school," Maynard added. "I couldn't be any happier with my decision."

Abby Turner, a 2021 Wheeling Park High School graduate, continued her competitive swimming career at the Air Force Academy in Colorado.

Wheeling Park head wrestling coach Danny Doyle said heading to Annapolis is a great fit for Maynard.

"This doesn't come as much of a surprise to me," he said. "Jameson has been a leader for us for four years, both vocally and by example. Last season being my first as head coach, Jameson made it very easy for me.

"I couldn't be any happier for him because he is someone who came in as a freshman and has worked hard every year to get better," Doyle added. "With his academic, athletic ability and leadership qualities, he has the opportunity to be a leader for our country one day."

On the mat, Maynard was nearly unbeatable his senior campaign, which got off to a late start due to his rugged football campaign.

He finished strong, however, winning the W.Va. Class AAA state wrestling title at 190 pounds, thus avenging his lone loss of the season in the state finals in Huntington.

He was also a two-time W.Va. Class AAA regional champion as a sophomore and junior; a two-time OVAC Ron Mauck Tournament champion as a sophomore and senior; and a two-time National High School All-American, capping his career with a national finalist appearance as a senior.

Maynard also starred as a linebacker-fullback last fall for the Patriots football squad, earning first team all-W.Va. Class AAA honors on the defensive side. He was also first team all-OVAC Class 4A football as a senior and second team as a junior.

"It's a great fit for him. I don't even think Navy knows what they are getting in Jameson," Daugherty said. "Even as a young player, he would do the little things that nobody would notice to try and create a win for us - not the newspaper, not the television, not the common football fan, but we, as coaches, saw it while watching film. He was so selfless.

"I hear coaches all the time talking about athletes being generational, I feel that about him," Daugherty stressed. "He's such a special player, but also a special person."

In addition to his work on the field and the mat, Maynard is also a member of the National Honor Society and ranked in the Top 10 in Class of 2025 at Wheeling Park High School.

"I visited there in November and I felt like the community there, the athletes there and the students there all kind of fit my ideals," he said. "I feel like I will mesh there really well."

Maynard said he will most likely be penciled in the 184-pound weight class for the Midshipmen. He will leave on June 25 for Plebe Summer Camp in Annapolis.

"I would like to thank my parents for sure. They never missed a football game or a wrestling match. They've been my biggest supporters all during my high school career," he stressed. "I'd also like to thank all my football and wrestling coaches throughout my career. I've had an incredible support system around me. I've had an exciting high school career. Now, I'm excited to see where it takes me."

Maynard said he is leaning toward a major in chemistry, but isn't sure what will develop down the road.

"I'll serve my five years, maybe longer," he added. "I really haven't decided on my long range future."

Maynard also received the Doug Huff Award at the recent W.Va. Sportswriters-sponsored Victory Awards Banquet. The award is symbolic of leadership, heart and hustle, and going the extra mile.