WHEELING — Walter Seamon has authored a memorable resume at the Boston Marathon.

The 77-year-old has enjoyed numerous high age-group finishes in the granddaddy of all marathons, including a runnerup trophy in 2009. The Wheeling resident placed fifth last April.

So this past Monday, Seamon entered the 26-plus mile jaunt with no expectations other than to enjoy his 19th foray through the streets and suburbs of Beantown.

Mother Nature, however, dealt Seamon and all of the others thousands of competitors a cruel hand”I cannot believe it could rain that hard for so long. We ran in water ankle deep in spots. I never saw rain like that before. It was also very cold and windy,” Seamon said. “The wind was blowing into us the entire race and you could feel it through your clothing. The day before they forecast temps in the 50s but it was much colder.

“I was dressed in shorts and a dry-fit shirt. So I was very cold. I also put a garbage bag over me to help deal with the rain,” he added. “I knew at the starting line it wasn’t going to be a good day. Many of the elite runners decided not even to start the race and some 2,600 eventually dropped out.”

Despite all the weather issues, Seamon still finished 11th in his age group with a time of 5:19:24. He averaged 12:11 minutes per mile.

“I never encountered something like this before. The first half of the marathon did go well but then at about the 14-mile leg mark I broke stride. My legs wouldn’t do what I wanted them to do. I wasn’t cramping but the legs did not want to move,” Seamon said. “When I came through the finish line they put me in the medical tent. They gave me some hot soup and wrapped me in a blanket. Then I felt pretty good.”

Seamon returned to the Ohio Valley on Tuesday in good shape and is taking two weeks off from running. He plans on running another marathon this fall but is unsure of which one.

“I feel good right now…better than after most marathons even though it was the worst marathon I have ever run,” Seamon said. “I was close to an hour off what I thought I would come in. It was an experience..something I will never forget.”

MEANWHILE, two Wheeling Park grads — Russell Mulley and Courtney Yaeger — turned in sharp efforts in Monday’s Boston Marathon.

Mulley toured the 26-plus miles in 2:50 while clocked Yaeger 3:21. The times were exceptional considering the horrendous conditions. Both are 2009 Park graduates and both enjoyed stellar track and cross country careers on the prep and collegiate levels.

Mulley was a key member of Park’s 2007 and 2008 state championship cross county teams. He earned all-state honors in 2008. He went on to have a tremendous running career at Wheeling Jesuit University.

Yaeger was all-state in 2007 and 2008 in cross country while in track she claimed state titles in the 1600 meters and 3200 meters. She matriculated to the University of Illinois, scripting a banner four-year career, earning All-Big Ten honors.

A CLASSIC CLASSIC

THE DICK Dei Track Classic staged last weekend at Wheeling Park has blossomed into a tremendous event.

The meet attracted a big-time field, drawing schools from the Eastern Panhandle in West Virginia as well Morgantown, Cleveland and Dayton. It was a blend of very large schools as well as a setting where local schools could fare well.

Kudos go out to the Dei brothers — Sean and Todd — who have worked tirelessly and passionately to pay tribute to their dad — a Wheeling Park coaching legend. The meet is a true classic thanks to the efforts of Sean, Todd and their army of selfless volunteers as well as Wheeling Park officials.

BUBBA’S BITS

BELLAIRE HIGH is set to christen its gorgeous new baseball field in Neffs this afternoon. The Big Reds play host to Steubenville Catholic Central. Festivities begin at 2 p.m. with the game set for 3 p.m. Tossing out the ceremonial first pitch will be Bellaire High diamond legend Ed Burgy at approximately 2:45. The OVAC Hall of Famer is regarded by many, including myself, as the best prep baseball player in Ohio Valley annals.

RON BALOG was named head football coach at Quaker Valley High in Leetsdale, Pa., in Allegheny County Tuesday. Balog is a 1987 St. Clairsville High grad. The 49-year-old former Red Devil played football at Muskingum University. Quaker Valley captured its first WPIAL championship this past fall. Balog has served as freshman coach at Pittsburgh Central Catholic the past two years.

IF THE spring game is an indicator, Joe Burrow should be the starting Ohio State quarterback this fall.

SPEAKING OF spring games, former Wheeling Park great Elijah Bell was held out of the North Carolina A&T game for precautionary reasons. The explosive wideout injured his shoulder in A&T’s Celebration Bowl game win over Grambling, a game in which he landed 10 passes. Bell led the 12-0 Aggies in receiving with 64 catches and 11 TDs. Bell helped lead Wheeling Park to its lone state grid title during his senior season, a campaign in which he was presented the Randy Moss Award, bestowed to the state’s top receiver.

JOHN GLENN High has featured one of the premier boys’ basketball programs in the Eastern District for many years. The exclamation point came in the 2015-16 season when Greg Woodard guided the Muskies to the OHSAA Division II state crown. Woodard has now opted to step down after 19 years at the JG helm, compiling a remarkable 319-124 record.