West Virginia University’s spring football practices have been ongoing since the middle of last month.

Two former Ohio Valley standouts are putting forth strong springs and that’s reflected by the spring depth chart the university released during last weekend’s practice.

Union Local graduate Colton McKivitz is listed second on the Mountaineers’ depth chart at right tackle, while St. Clairsville graduate Michael Ferns is listed second at fullback.

Also listed on the Mountaineers’ depth chart is Bishop Donahue graduate Matt Vucelik, who is third at tight end.

McKivitz sat out last season as a redshirt and has been especially impressive during drills, catching the eye of line coach Ron Crook.

During a post-practice media session last week, Crook said, “The issue with him is being so young. He doesn’t see things before they happen, so he has to improve there. He has to continue to develop the strength so he can stay confident and use the technique that we ask him to do. I’m really happy though with what he has been able to do and the direction he is going.”

Ferns sat out last season after transferring to WVU from Michigan, where he red-shirted as a true freshman. Ferns hasn’t played a live football game since his senior season at St. Clairsville.

Crook, however, has raved about Ferns’ attitude and work ethic in the weight room and it’s clearly carrying over to the spring practice field. Along with fullback, Ferns could also see time at tight end.

Both McKivitz and Ferns are also getting it done in the classroom in Morgantown, too. Both were named to the prestigious Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll after the fall semester.

FOOTBALL

DAN MONTEROSO, Purdue – St. Clairsville graduate caught a 13-yard touchdown in the Boilermakers scrimmage last weekend. He’s embarking on his senior season in West Lafayette.

AUSTIN DORRIS, Indiana – Shadyside graduate saw his spring season cut short when he suffered a broken arm during drills. He’s expected to be ready to go in June when summer conditioning starts.

BASEBALL

Division I

ALEX STEPHENS, Morehead State – Linsly product hit his fourth home run during a win against Eastern Kentucky last Sunday. He went just 2-for-10 in the three-game series with two runs scored and two RBIs.

COLTON COSS, Morehead State – Linsly graduate entered the game defensively at shortstop last Saturday.

MICHAEL GROVE, West Virginia – Wheeling Park product made his first collegiate start against state-rival Marshall last Tuesday night. He worked five innings, striking out two and walking one. He didn’t allow an earned run, but didn’t figure in the decision. Grove has made seven appearances out of the pen.

MICHAEL JACOB, Toledo – St. Clairsville graduate earned his fourth and fifth saves of the season earlier this week. He pitched two-and-two-thirds against Bowling Green. He didn’t record a strikeout, but he had a walk. After his team rallied to take the lead on Youngstown State, Jacob escaped a jam in the bottom of the ninth to nail down the team’s sixth win of the season.

ANDREW KOWALO, Liberty – Wheeling Park graduate is mired in quite a slump. He’s not had a hit in his last four games.

Division II

LOGAN HUDSON, Wheeling Jesuit – Shadyside grad secured his first win of the season, working five innings. He struck out three and allowed just an unearned run.

DILLON SUNNAFRANK, Wheeling Jesuit – Cambridge High grad had two singles in a doubleheader loss at West Virginia State last weekend. In a win against Charleston, he went 2-4 with a RBI and two runs scored.

CODY HUDSON, Wheeling Jesuit – Shadyside High grad worked an inning out of the bullpen during a game against Charleston over the weekend.

D.J. BUSBY, West Liberty – St. Clairsville graduate went 7-for-15 last week with four runs scored from his lead-off spot.

JORDAN MEYER, West Liberty – Steubenville product had four hits, scored two runs and drove in a run last week for the Toppers.

NOLAN MARCUS, West Liberty – Edison grad had seven hits and five RBIs for the Hilltoppers last week.

CLAY FRANCIS, West Liberty – Martins Ferry product had three hits and a RBI last week, while playing catcher for the Hilltoppers.

GREG STAGANI, West Liberty – Edison graduate picked up a complete-game win against Charleston. He struck out eight and walked two.

MARK SMYTH, West Liberty – Edison product pitched seven innings en route to a victory against Charleston. He struck out six and walked three.

BAILEY McGRATH, West Liberty – Bridgeport High product had his first RBI on a base hit in the Hilltoppers’ come-from-behind win against Ashland last Wednesday. He got the start at second base.

CONNOR COUP, West Liberty – Martins Ferry product had two hits and a RBI in the Hilltoppers’ victory against Ashland earlier this week.

PARKER DYSON, West Liberty – Bridgeport product made his first collegiate start against Ashland, but didn’t figure in the decision. He struck out four and allowed four hits and three runs.

ERIC BANAL, West Liberty – Buckeye Local graduate was called upon to pinch run in the Ashland victory. He scored a run, too.

Division III

KORDELL ANTILL, Marietta – Monroe Central grad earned a pitching win, out of the bullpen, against Muskingum last weekend. He worked four innings and struck out two en route to the decision.

SOFTBALL

Division I

JESSE MACHOVINA, Ohio State – St. Clairsville grad had a big series at Wisconsin last weekend. She went 5-for-9 at the plate with three RBIs. She started two of the three games at first base. Against Penn State on Wednesday, Machovina hit her first home run of the season in a win against Penn State. She finished the game 2-for-4 with 3 RBIs. She leads OSU in batting average at .415, but she’s appeared in only 20 of the team’s 30 games.

KATIE ELLZY, Robert Morris – Harrison Central product notched a save in the second game of the Colonials’ double-header sweep of Wagner to open Northeast Conference play.

Division II

HANNAH ABSALOM, Fairmont State – St. John Central grad worked in relief in a loss to Shepherd last weekend. She worked a third of an inning and allowed a hit and a run.

Division III

KERI RENZLER, Waynesburg – Bridgeport graduate was 5-for-11 at the plate in her last four games. She also drove in four runs during that time, while seeing time at both shortstop and catcher.

TRACK

FALLON DOYLE, Wheeling Jesuit – St. John Central product won her first collegiate race last weekend at the Millersville Metrics meet, which was at Millersville University in Eastern Pennsylvania. Doyle claimed the 1500M run in 4:56.44.

JACK FITCH, Wheeling Jesuit – Martins Ferry graduate ran a leg on the Cardinals’ 4×100 team that won the title in Millersville. He was also 12th in the 200 meter dash.

ANTHONY PHILLIPS, Wheeling Jesuit – Martins Ferry product ran a leg on the Cardinals’ champion 4×100 team that posted a time of 42.99.

KELSEY CHAMBERS, Wheeling Jesuit – Oak Glen graduate won the 3,000M steeplechase in a time of 11:07.92, which was 24 seconds faster than her nearest competitor.

ALEXIS BURCH, Wheeling Jesuit – Oak Glen graduate finished third in the 400 meter dash at Millersville with a time of 59.27.

HALEY CAMPBELL, Wheeling Jesuit – Beallsville product finished third in the hammer throw (156-ft-10) and sixth in the shot put (40-ft-5) at the Millersville Metrics meet.

Staskey can be reached via email at sstaskey@timesleaderonline.com