“This is a major milestone for our program ever since the WVSSAC added a team tournament three years ago, we’ve never qualified a full team, let alone both teams,” Wheeling Park boys’ head coach Troy Salatino said. “It’s truly exciting to have all of our players competing at the state level.”

The second-seeded Patriots had an impressive run in the region, defeating Buckhannon-Upshur in the opening round and then topping John Marshall in the semifinals to secure their first-ever trip to the state tournament. They ultimately fell to top-seeded Morgantown in the regional final.

In the Class AAA Team Tournament, Wheeling Park is seeded No. 8 and will face top-seeded George Washington in the first round at the Kanawha City Community Center. The girls were also seeded second in the region. They received a first-round bye and then earned a hard-fought win over a strong No. 3 University team in the semifinals to also qualify for states. Like the boys, they lost to No. 1 Morgantown in the final. The girls, who were also Big School OVAC runner-ups, are seeded No. 5 and will take on No. 4 Washington High School in the first round.

“We’re excited to see how both teams compete against top programs from across the state, especially from the competitive Huntington and Charleston, and eastern panhandle regions,” Salatino said.

Pictured is the Wheeling Park boys’ tennis team. Front row, from left, are Asher Chao, Gavin Forget, Rex Montayne and Brooks Wharry. Standing, from left, are coach Frank Riba, Max Seibert, Heath Miller, Aaron Chao, Alex Zhao and coach Troy Salatino.

The boys roster consists of junior Aaron Chao at No. 1 singles; sophomore Asher Chao at No. 2; freshman Brooks Wharry at No. 3 and senior Max Seibert at No. 4. The No. 1 doubles team has the Chao’s paired together, while Wharry and Seibert are No. 2. Sophomores Rex Montanye and Alexei Zhao team at No. 3.

The girls roster is made up of junior Madeline Bradshaw at No. 1; seniors Harper Moores and Reese Moores at No. 2 and No. 3, respectively; and sophomore Lauren Eskins at No. 4. The doubles tandems are Bradshaw and Eskins at No. 1; the Moores sisters at No. 2; and junior Ava Norman and freshman Marissa Hunley at No. 3.

Bradshaw, who captured the No. 1 Singles OVAC Championship while earning her 100th career high school win two weeks ago, will be competing in both singles and doubles action, as well. She is the No. 2 seed in singles and will meet Washington High junior Sam Breeden, the No. 15 seed, in her first match.

This marks Bradshaw’s third trip to the state tournament – she reached the quarterfinals in singles as a freshman and the singles final last year, falling to Lyla Byers of University High, who went on to play for WVU this season. She won the regional title last week.

In doubles, Bradshaw and Eskins were regional champions and received the No. 3 seed. They are paired with the sixth-seeded duo of Frazier and Corrigan in the first round.

MASON SMITH

The girls are coached by Felix Riba.

“As I often remind the team ‘long days are good days,’ because that means you’re still competing and still winning,” Salatino added.. “We’re incredibly proud and excited to represent Wheeling Park at the state level.”

Competing at the A-AA level are Wheeling Central junior Mason Smith who was awarded the No. 13 seed. He is matched with No. 4 Ethan Bastin, a senior from Charleston Catholic.

Smith is 10-6 this year. He was seeded No. 4 out of 24 players in the region and finished fourth to advance to state. In the regional, after a first round bye, Smith beat players from East Fairmont and Weir by scores of 8-4 and 8-5, respectively, to advance to the semifinals and qualify. In the semi’s, he faced the #1 overall seed and lost 9-7 in a tough, close match, according to his coach and father, A.J. Smith.

Smith is the first Maroon Knight tennis player to make it to state since 2023 when Christopher Burns, who now plays tennis for West Liberty, advanced as a senior.

On the girls side, Oak Glen and Weir both qualified for the state team tournament, as well as having individual qualifiers. The Golden Bears received the No. 5 seed, two higher than the Red Riders whom they defeated for the regional crown.

Representing the Golden Bears in singles are senior Elle Monaco and sophomore Ruby Chaney. Chaney is seeded 13th, three spots higher than Monaco. The Red Riders’ Megan Dunmyer, a senior, is the 15th seed.

Monaco and Chaney are seeded No. 6 in doubles. Dunmyer and her partner senior Jenna Costello are the No. 8 seed.

Action will also be played at the Charleston Catholic High School courts.

The tournament runs through Saturday’s state championships.