MOUNDSVILLE — Her brilliant collegiate career is now on ice.

Kristin Lewicki, however, is not ready to hang up her skates.

The John Marshall High product scripted an All-American hockey career at Adrian College in Michigan. It ended this past March when she led her Bulldogs to the national championship game en route to being named the Division III player of the year.

Adrian ended the season with a brilliant 28-3 record. The Bulldogs entered the tourney as the nation’s No. 2 ranked team.

The diminutive star is now setting her sights on a professional hockey career. She took the first steps to that end last weekend in a National Women’s Hockey League tryout in Marlborough, Mass.

Lewicki was one of only 20 players invited to the tryout. She felt pleased with her performance and is now in a waiting mode.

“The ran us through various drills and we scrimmaged,” Lewicki said. “I felt I did pretty well. I didn’t think any of the other players stood out.

“There were a few representatives from every team in the league watching us,” she added. “They were not allowed to talk to us. Only the media could talk to us. Teams have until June 1 to contact us if they are interested.”

The National Women’s Hockey League holds its players’ draft in August. Lewicki, thus, is in a holding pattern. She did receive a dose of positive news at the tryout.

“The Buffalo Beauts coach emailed me and invited me to the team’s individual camp in June. Each league team has 15 skaters and two goalies,” Lewicki said. “I am excited about the opportunity. Playing in Europe is also still in the picture. I just need to see how things play out here.”

The soft-spoken star was a two-time All-American and is the sixth all-time leading scorer in NCAA D-III history. Lewicki scripted a sensational senior season with 32 goals and 34 assists in 31 games. Those numbers pushed her career totals to 179 points in 113 games — 90 goals and 89 assists.

The multi-talented forward also received the ultimate honor. She was named the U.S. College Hockey Division III Women’s Player of the Year for the 2016-17 season.

Lewicki is staying in game shape by running, rollerblading and getting some ice time in a rink near Washington, Pa.

BELLAIRE RELAYS

LIKE MANY local prep athletic events the Bellaire Relays has fallen on rough times. The once-prestigious meet attracted just nine total teams last month.

Back in the 1960s and 70s, the Bellaire Relays was the second-most prestigious meet in the state behind the Mansfield Relays. The best teams from Cleveland, Akron and Dayton always attended while schools from Indiana and Michigan also came to the All-American Town. Legendary figures such as Paul Warfield competed at Nelson Field.

Many reasons have been speculated for the meet’s demise — such as conflicts with proms and the OVAC meet qualifying commencing two days after the Bellaire Relays.

It would be a shame to see such a tradition-rich meet go the way of the dinosaur. I have two suggestions.

Move it to a Sunday. Proms then go away as an issue. Also several local baseball and softball games were held on Sundays and met with much approval. Some may say West Virginia schools could not come as they are prohibited from competing on Sundays. Moot point. None come anyway.

Secondly, advance it a week. Hold it on the Sunday the weekend after the Shadyside Relays. It takes the OVAC conflict out of the mix.

Bellaire has lost much over the years: Imperial Glass, Interstate Toll Bridge, Riviera Bowling Lanes and the majority of downtown businesses. The Relays are worth saving.

BUBBA’S BITS

RICK MAGRUDER was quite deserving to be recognized as the OVAC Coach of the Year Monday at the Banquet of Champions. Leading Wheeling Central to the softball state championship last May was a worthwhile achievement. Doing it in 33-0 fashion was priceless.

BEST OF luck wishes go out to Phil Rujak. The personable Rujack announced Wednesday he was stepping down as Oak Glen’s athletic director after seven years in that Golden Bear post. Rujak has opted for a job in the business world.

THE BELLAIRE High football team will be utilizing the Irish Youth Sports field for summer workouts until the Big Reds’ new fieldhouse is ready for use.

FORMER WHEELING Park running back star Savion Johnson has opted to switch colleges. Johnson will now be performing for the West Liberty Hilltoppers after spending his freshman season at North Carolina A&T.

IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS are under way at two Indian Creek athletic facilities. An updated sound system is being added at Kettlewell Memorial Stadium. Meanwhile, a new baseball scoreboard is being installed at Muth Field near Indian Creek Middle School in Mingo. Cost of the projects is in excess of $14,000. No taxpayer money is being used.

THE BARNESVILLE BOE nailed it Thursday night when it hired Matt Johnson as the Shamrocks new boys’ basketball coach. He has an impressive track record of being successful by leading with discipline, character and a relentless work ethic.

GREG HABERFIELD is moving on. Haberfield led Buckeye Local to a stellar boys’ hoop season this past winter at Buckeye Local. He has accepted the head coaching post at Philo High.

EDISON HIGH School is looking to fill the position of varsity girls basketball coach. Interested applicants should send a resume and letter of interest to JoAnn Stagani at joann.stagani@edisonwildcats.org or Edison High School, 9890 St. Rte. 152 N. Richmond, Ohio 43944.