photo by: Kim North

Three Wheeling Central student-athletes signed with NCAA Division I universities Wednesday morning in the school’s ‘Great Hall.’ They are, from left, Steven Brodegard (Mercyhurst University, baseball), Brayden Cover (Akron University, baseball) and Eli Sancomb (Liberty University, basketball).

WHEELING – Wheeling Central is a small Catholic school tucked away in the East Wheeling neighborhood. While the enrollment at the Class A school might be low, the talent level certainly isn’t.

On Wednesday morning surrounded by family, friends, teammates and classmates inside the school’s ‘Great Hall,’ three Maroon Knight athletes signed their NCAA Division I National Letter of Intent to continue their academic and athletic careers on full scholarships at the highest collegiate level.

Reigning W.Va. Gatorade Basketball Player of the Year Eli Sancomb is headed to Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va., while all-state right-handed pitchers Brayden Cover and Steven Brodegard are headed to Akron University and Mercyhurst University, respectively.

“This was great. I’ve known those two guys for a long time so it was cool to be able to do this all together,” the 6-5 Sancomb, who also won the Evans Award symbolic of the Most Outstanding Male Basketball in the Mountain State, said of the signing ceremony.

“It feels good, but if it wasn’t for my coaches helping me along the way, I wouldn’t have been able to do this without their support and guidance,” Sancomb added. ”

The Flames joined Conference USA in 2023. Other members include Delaware, Florida International, Jacksonville State, Kennesaw State, Louisiana Tech, Middle Tennessee State, Missouri State, New Mexico State, Sam Houston State, UTEP and Western Kentucky.

Sancomb has scored 976 career points in just 43 games. He missed his freshman season with a knee injury suffered playing football, but has been able to average 22.7 points a game, collect 403 rebounds (9.4), hand out 186 assists (4.3), chart 95 steals and block 16 shots. The southpaw is also a 54 percent shooter from the floor; 37 percent from three-point land and 83 percent at the foul line.

The son of Danny and Becky Sancomb, he plans to major in sports management. He has two younger brothers, Luke and Jack. His dad is the current head coach at Division II Cal (Pa.) and is a member of the Wheeling University Athletic Hall of Fame. His mother is the principal at Wheeling Central.

“I’m glad it’s over and I know where I am going for the next four years,” Brodegard said of the recruiting process. “It’s really a surreal moment. Not a lot of people go here (Wheeling Central) in small town West Virginia, so to be able to play baseball at the Division I level is really special to me.”

Already the owner of two state championship rings, one in basketball and another in baseball, the 6-7 Brodegard is looking for more.

“Hopefully we can get another state championship in basketball and then baseball.”

Brodegard has compiled a spotless career record of 11-0. In 86 innings, he has struck out 139, walked 39, allowed 41 hits and has a microscopic ERA of 0.75. Batters hit just .140 off of him.

The Lakers are members of the Northeast Conference, which also includes Central Connecticut, Chicago State, FDU, Le Moyne, LIU, New Haven, St. Francis, Stonehill and Wagner.

Brodegard is the son of Tom and Lydia Brodegard. He has two sisters, Kaitlin and Kayla and a brother, Luke. He plans on majoring in business with future plans of enlisting in the W.Va. Air National Guard.

Cover, who follows older brothers Eric (Muskingum) and Seth (West Liberty), as college baseball players

“This is a huge relief. I’m glad it’s over. I’m excited to get started,” Cover said. “This today means a lot to me, especially being able to do it with Eli and Steven. It’s hard to get exposure in West Virginia, but we did it.”

One of Cover’s goals was to get the recruiting over before his senior season started.

“That’s accomplished, so now I can fully concentrate on my final year.”

In 17 career appearances on the mound for the Maroon Knights, Cover is 12-1 with 130 strikeouts and 45 walks in 88.1 innings of work. His ERA is 1.66 and opposing batters hit .130 off of him.

The Zips compete in the Mid-American Conference with Ball State, Bowling Green, Central Michigan, Eastern Michigan, Kent State, Miami, Northern Illinois, Ohio, Toledo and Western Michigan.

Also a business major, Cover is the son of Todd and Lisa Cover.