MARTINS FERRY — There is no place like home.

Dalton Hoover gives life to that premise.

The Martins Ferry two-sport all-stater has opted to remain close to his roots rather than accept a Division I wrestling scholarship some 9 hours away.

Hoover announced Wednesday that he will now attend Wheeling Jesuit University to continue his wrestling and academic careers. The three-time state placer and three-time OVAC champion had originally signed to wrestle at MAC power Northern Illinois.

However, Hoover comes from a close-knit and athletic-minded family. That helped the powerful grappler have a change of heart.

“Wheeling Jesuit is close to home and a place I really like,” Hoover said. “It has one of the nation’s top D-II wrestling programs and I like the head coach (Danny Irwin).”

In addition to Northern Illinois, Hoover was recruited by Ohio University, Kent State, Pitt, Edinboro and the U.S. Naval Academy amongst others.

He finished fourth in the OVAC Ron Mauck Tournament as a freshman in the 182-pound class. He subsequently earned a spot in the state tournament.

Hoover has been a virtual beast on the mats the past three years, competing, if not owning, the 195-pound classification.

He was nearly unbeatable as a sophomore.

Hoover won the OVAC championship that season, defeating nationally ranked Justin Allman of Parkersburg South in the finals.

He went on to finish as D-III state runnerup, dropping a tough decision to Atwater Waterloo?s Will Bolanz in the finals. All told, Hoover compiled a remarkable 35-3 mark that winter.

His junior mat campaign was again marked by domination. He repeated as OVAC champion, again besting Allman in the finals by a 7-4 count. Another district title preceded another state tournament berth.

Hoover advanced to the state semifinals, dropping a controversial 4-3 verdict via the ultimate tiebreaker to Massillon Tuslaw’s Logan Hall. He displayed his resolve by wrestling back to claim third place, capping a brilliant 32-2 campaign.

He capped his illustrious Purple mat career with a superb senior mat campaign. He pocketed a third OVAC championship en route to another state tourney performance.

Hoover went 39-2 in his final go-round. He lost in the state quarterfinals after incurring a major cut above his eye, requiring some 8 stitches to close. To his credit, he bounced back to finish third in the state tourney.

All told, Hoover amassed an amazing 155-17 career record.

“I couldn’t have asked to coach a better young man. He has a great work ethic and is a proven leader,” Martins Ferry wrestling coach Chas Yoder said. “He dedicated himself to becoming a Division I wrestler. I am proud of all he has accomplished. If he didn’t get hurt I truly believe he would have been a state champion.”

Hoover also distinguished himself this spring, winning a national title in Virginia Beach.

In football, Hoover was a three-year starter for Dave Bruney. He was a bulwark on both sides of the ball and enjoyed brilliant senior and junior campaigns.

The bruising running back rushed for more than 1,500 yards and scored 22 touchdowns last fall, leading the Purple Riders back to the playoffs, after a two-year hiatus. Defensively, he recorded an amazing 157 tackles, including 27 in the Purple?s heart-breaking playoff loss to Portsmouth West.

For his yeoman effort, Hoover was named the 2017 Eastern District Defensive Player of the Year in Division V.

As a junior, Hoover rushed for more than 1,300 yards and 15 TDs while splitting time between quarterback and running back. Defensively, the stellar linebacker recorded a team-leading 104 tackles. He was also an exceptional long snapper for the Purple Riders.

Those numbers earned Hoover co-district player-of-the-year honors and first-team all-state plaudits. He was also tabbed captain of the Times Leader all-star squad and was a first-team All-Valley honoree.

Hoover also excelled as a sophomore, gaining first-team all-district laurels as a linebacker.

Dalton is the son of Jim and Robyn Hoover. They reside in Mingo Junction. Jim is a teacher and coach at Martins Ferry High School. He played football at Eastern Michigan University.