WHEELING – The prestigious OVAC Bill Van Horne Coach of the Year Award has been narrowed down to some very worthwhile candidates. The selection process started with seven nominations and was voted down to the final five by a committee of OVAC media and other representatives.

The award, named after the long-time sports editor of the Wheeling News-Register, Bill Van Horne, will be presented to the top vote-getter during the 41st annual OVAC Banquet of Champions dinner on Sunday, May 17 inside WesBanco Arena. Doors open at 1 p.m., with dinner at 2 and the banquet to follow.

Nominations included coaches from athletic teams in the 2024-25 spring sports season and coaches from the 2025-26 fall and winter sports seasons.

The five finalists will be listed in alphabetical order with their school, sport and credentials.

TODD COVER, Wheeling Central, baseball. Cover led the Maroon Knights to an 18-3 record and the OVAC Class 3A championship and the W.Va. Class AA state championship.

SHERRIE GARNER, Oak Glen, softball. Garner led the Golden Bears to a 30-10 record. They captured the OVAC Class 4A title, as well as the W.Va. Class AA state crown.

MIKE HANEY, Steubenville, boys basketball. Haney guided the Big Red to a superb 26-2 record that culminated in a heartbreaking, 48-47, loss to Trotwood Madison in the Ohio Division III state championship game. The only other setback came to undefeated Wheeling Central.

Steubenville also won the OVAC Class 5A Tournament. That title was the first since 2014. The state tournament appearance was the first time in 74 years.

KEN MAISEL, University High, wrestling. Maisel’s Hawks claimed the overall and Class 5A titles at the 72nd annual OVAC Ron Mauck Wrestling championships last winter, repeating in both. He has been voted the OVAC Class 5A Coach of the Year in 2024 and 2025. Last winter, University became only the fourth ‘big school’ to win four consecutive W.Va. Division I state title.

MEL STEPHENS, Wheeling Central, boys basketball. This veteran head coach guided the Maroon Knights to back-to-back OVAC Class 3A championships, as well as consecutive W.Va. Class AA state championships. They went undefeated, 23-0, this past season and handed Steubenville one of its two losses.

Stephens shared the award last year with Monroe Central’s Mason Lang.